Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed he will make significant changes to his side for Monday's FA Cup meeting with Arsenal, prioritising their Championship promotion push over the cup competition. The team sit top of the table with a nine-point cushion, but recent wobbles have raised concerns about automatic promotion.
The last meeting between the clubs came in a 2012 FA Cup third-round tie, won 1-0 by Arsenal thanks to Thierry Henry's goal. Leeds have not faced Arsenal in the Premier League since a 5-0 defeat in 2004, shortly before the club's financial collapse and relegation.
Bielsa will hand debuts to goalkeeper Illan Meslier and defender Robbie Gotts, while resting key players such as Hélder Costa and Stuart Dallas. The Argentine described the tie as "an official engagement" but made clear his focus remains on the league.
Leeds have failed to win promotion via the play-offs in five attempts since 1987, and Bielsa is wary of history repeating itself. The club's director of football, Victor Orta, is seeking a striker to ease the burden on Patrick Bamford after Eddie Nketiah was recalled from his loan by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
