26-year-old has ‘looked really good’ in Leeds training… but Marsch hints he won’t start today

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Junior Firpo is impressing in training but won’t be starting for Leeds United against Arsenal in the Premier League this afternoon.

The Whites are in Premier League action once again today as they host Arsenal at Elland Road.

Jesse Marsch is under increasing pressure after picking up just two points in the last five Premier League games.

A game against high-flying Arsenal doesn’t exactly sound ideal but Leeds need to try and spring a shock on Mikel Arteta’s men.

Junior Firpo is impressing in training

Marsch faces some selection decisions ahead of kick off against Arsenal and he will be trying to formulate a plan to frustrate the Gunners.

Marsch has already confirmed one player who will start though.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Marsch has admitted that Dutch talent Pascal Struijk will once again start at left back for Leeds.

Struijk is a centre back by trade but has started every Premier League game at left back this season.

Struijk scored against Crystal Palace last week and will unsurprisingly keep his place despite Junior Firpo’s return.

FIrpo played 32 minutes against Aston Villa earlier this month and now gives Marsch another option at left back.

The Spaniard wasn’t exactly dazzling in his first Premier League campaign for Leeds last season but will hopefully kick on this term.

Marsch admitted that Firpo has looked ‘really good’ in training this week and will be ‘really important’ for Leeds going forward, especially with so many games coming up.

The American also suggested that Struijk is playing at a ‘high level’ right now so Firpo will still face a real battle to wrestle back his left back spot in the Leeds side.

“Right now Pascal’s playing at such a high level that we will start with Pascal at the weekend but we need to get Junior fully fit and healthy,” said Marsch.

“He trained all week and he looked really good. He’s still a really important piece for us as things go forward. We have a three-game week coming up so I anticipate he will be ready to go and we will definitely need minutes from him. We’ll evaluate exactly what we do each match but he’s ready,” he added.

Struijk will therefore face the unenviable task of shackling Bukayo Saka down Arsenal’s right flank today, with the Leeds defender no doubt anticipating a tough day.