Arsenal is still playing inconsistently, just like last season, but the place on the table is way better than last season – the Gunners are currently fourth and will fight bitterly for that last Champions League spot with West Ham, Manchester United and Tottenham. But, the main topic at Etihad stadium is personnel. Mikel Arteta made headlines with his decision to strip Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang off captancy and now banish him from the training ground, while on the other side, Nicolas Pepe has also been removed from the first 11. The first is punished due to discipline breach, while the second one is just out of form.🤝 Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka have assisted one another six times in the #PL 🤝Among duos when both aged 21 or younger, only Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney (8) have assisted one another more often in the competition’s history #LEEARS | @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/5wbkcfUYph— Premier League (@premierleague) December 18, 2021 And ahead of a duel with poor Leeds, main questions were aimed at those two players and not the game plan. And the Spaniard was tight lipped when asked about Auba’s long term future with the club, and even Lacazette’s contract situation. „No, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not available for selection. For this game, he’s not available for selection. Alex’s performances, involvement and commitment is without question. It’s not related to his contract situation. I discussed it in the summer with him, what the situation was, and we are both clear on that. Auba’s situation is something separate to that“ explained Arteta when asked about his former captain.Aubameyang expelled from a training session, Arsenal ready to sell him in JanuaryOn the other side, it hasn’t gone without notice that Nicolas Pepe is out of favor and the best example for that was when a young Eddie Nketiah, whose contract is running out in 2022 was still chosen before former Nice winger against West Ham.„It’s with all the players that they are not having enough minutes. Obviously with the amount of games we have are having, there’s not enough room for all those players. With Nico’s situation it’s something similar. I’ve highlighted on many occasions it’s because of what I see every day. That’s with Nico as well. But he needs more opportunities to show what he can do and in the last few games, he hasn’t had them. I have to try to make that decision on what I see every single day. And to be fair, Nico is really willing and really willing to help the team. The reality is that the position he is playing, Bukayo has been playing regularly there and he’s been fantastic. So it’s not been easy for him to find that time“ said Arteta.Tuchel: ‘I feel sorry for Aubemayang’On the other side, in Leeds, coach Marcelo Bielsa doesn’t have those kind of problems. Junior Firpo, Liam Cooper, Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo, Daniel James, Pascal Struijk, Kalvin Phillips and Jamie Shackleton are all unavailable, leaving Bielsa with 10 senior names, so only the healthiest footballers will play, regardless of their form. Arsenal are undefeated in their last 10 matches against Leeds in all competitions, but the Gunners have lost their last 3 away matches in the Premier League.PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND 18Saturday 18:00 Aston Villa – Burnley20:30 Leeds United – ArsenalManchester United – Brighton & Hove Albion – CanceledSouthampton – Brentford – CanceledWatford – Crystal Palace – CanceledWest Ham United – Norwich City – CanceledSunday17:00 Newcastle United – Manchester City17:00 Wolverhampton – Chelsea19:30 Tottenham – LiverpoolEverton – Leicester City – Canceled
