Leeds star Luke Ayling explains how Arsenal made him the player he is today

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Luke Ayling has told Soccer AM as posted on their YouTube channel that the years he spent in Arsenal’s academy under Steve Bould has helped him enormously to become the player he is now – as he continues to thrive at Leeds United.

Ayling, 29, has been a crucial part of the Leeds side since joining the club for a bargain £250,000 (YEP) from Bristol City in 2016. In just four seasons, the defender has clocked up an enormous 158 appearances in all competitions for the Whites.

He has played all four Premier League games for Leeds and captained the club in the absence of Liam Cooper at Liverpool, during the 4-3 defeat. He is expected to be one of the first names on the team sheet for the majority of the campaign.

Ayling was asked by Soccer AM reporter Tubes about his upbringing at Arsenal, and Ayling spoke of how he learnt his trade under Gunners icon Steve Bould – though he never managed to play a single senior appearance for the north London club.

“I started there when I was eight and I had a great schooling,” Ayling said. “The things I learnt there was brilliant. Then I did my scholarship under Steve Bould and I played centre-half. To have Steve Bould coaching you everyday, really kicked me on.

“Things weren’t going to happen for me at Arsenal, I was way off, was never going to be good enough. So I went to Yeovil for four years. There was nothing to do there and it was brilliant for me – and here I am now.”

TBR’s view – Do Leeds need cover for Ayling?

Before last season, Ayling suffered injuries over the Christmas period that has kept him sidelines for a number of matches – for two consecutive seasons and his absence was felt by the team. Leeds have also lost Gaetano Berardi to injury.

Jamie Shackleton and Stuart Dallas are naturally midfielders but can do a job at right-back. However, if Leeds are to re-enter the market before Friday – perhaps cover for Ayling should be considered by Marcelo Bielsa.