Leeds United defender Luke Ayling has made it clear that Arsenal’s visit to Elland Road on Sunday will be ‘just another game’ for him, as he told LUTV.
The 29-year-old came through the ranks at Arsenal as a teenager, but the club released him in 2010, and he will now face off against them with Leeds at the weekend.
It has been some journey for the powerful right-back, who has been one of Leeds’ top performers since their return to the top-flight this season.
Ayling made it clear that he has ‘no ties’ at the Emirates and ‘doesn’t know anyone there’ ahead of his first meeting with the club.
“I spent a lot of time there as a kid,” said Ayling. “But I was only a kid then and I never really played or trained with the first team.
“I don’t know anyone there and I’ve got no ties there, so for me, it is just another game, but it will be nice to finally play against them in the Premier League after getting released at 18 will be nice.”
It could be argued that a player like Ayling would get into Arsenal’s starting XI and ahead of Hector Bellerin, who struggled against Jack Grealish last time out.
Ayling is a marauding full-back, who plays with aggression and a no-nonsense style and it’s something that is needed at Arsenal.
Either way, it has been some rise from the former Yeovil man, who has had to work his way back up from the lower leagues and he is now thriving with the best.
But this is an important fixture for both Arsenal and Leeds given the form they have been in recently – Mikel Arteta’s side lost 3-0 to Aston Villa last time out, whilst the Whites have conceded eight from their last two matches.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
