Eddie Nketiah will not start for Arsenal against Sheffield Wednesday this weekend, says Marcelo Bielsa.
Nketiah, signed on loan from Premier League club Arsenal in the summer transfer window, came on as a substitute to score for Leeds in their 1-1 draw with Preston North End away from home in the Championship this week.
Following the match, former Leeds striker Whelan said that the 20-year-old striker will not start against Wednesday in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
“The danger is that Marcelo Bielsa thinks he’s done his job, that he’s made the substitution at the right time because we got something out of the game,” Whelan said on BBC Radio Leeds after the match against Preston.
“Well, the game was there to actually take everything out of the game, possibly if you make the substitution a little bit earlier and be a bit braver.
“He’ll probably look at it that Patrick’s done his job and he’s [Nketiah] come on and got the equaliser, so you can sit yourself back on the bench and same again against Sheffield Wednesday.”
Whelan’s prediction has been proved right, with Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa stating on Thursday that the England Under-21 international will be on the substitutes’ bench against Wednesday this weekend, with Patrick Bamford to retain his place in the first team, as reported in Leeds Live.
Disappointment for Eddie Nketiah
It must be disappointing for Nketiah not to start for Leeds, as the Arsenal-owned striker is still searching for his first appearance in the starting lineup in the Championship.
The 20-year-old should stay patience and must continue to work hard, and he will get his chance.
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