Mark Lawrenson makes strange Marcelo Bielsa suggestion ahead of Leeds-Arsenal clash

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Mark Lawrenson has claimed in his BBC column that Marcelo Bielsa will be hoping his Leeds United side suffer defeat in north London on Monday night, as the Whites travel south to take on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

Leeds take on Arsenal in what is only the fourth meeting between the two sides in the last 10 years. The previous meeting saw Thierry Henry score his first goal for Arsenal after coming back to the club – in a 1-0 win, also in the FA Cup.

These days, Leeds are a very different prospect to the Simon Grayson side that suffered at the hands of Gunners icon Henry. Under the stewardship of Bielsa, their high press, possession-based football is likely to see them promoted.

Currently top of the Championship and nine points clear of third, Leeds are in an excellent position to finally return to the top flight for the first time since 2004. But Lawrenson has stuck his head on the line and suggested Bielsa will want Leeds to lose.

“I love watching Leeds play and they are good enough to give Arsenal a test too,” Lawrenson said. “But they have seen previous promotion challenges fade in the second half of the season and I don’t think Marcelo Bielsa will want a cup run.

“Leeds will still come and have a go at Emirates Stadium, but I don’t think they will do it with their first XI.”

TBR’s view – Do Leeds fans want a win against Arsenal?

It is a tricky one. As a supporter of any club, you do not want your side to ever down tools and purposefully suffer defeat at the hands of the opposition. But at the same time, Leeds know success in The FA Cup is nothing compared to promotion.

Even if the Whites went on to win The FA Cup, some supporters would still prefer to be in the Premier League. Lawrenson is right in saying that cup runs have affected Leeds in the past – so a defeat would not be the end of the world.