The red card shown to Luke Ayling in the first half of Leeds United’s visit to Arsenal means he will miss the rest of the season. The Whites right-back was initially shown a yellow card but, after consulting VAR, referee Chris Kavanagh had no choice to hand him a stricter punishment.
The foul, classed as serious foul play, means he will be suspended for the next three matches which also means he will play no further part this season. It comes as yet another blow for Jesse Marsch who could quite easily be without his two most senior defenders for the last three games.
Liam Cooper was with the squad at the Emirates but he was not included in the starting XI or on the bench as Marsch revealed that he was still feeling the issue in his knee prior to the match. Without Ayling at right-back, it puts further pressure on the club captain to return due to the inexperience in the backline.
Read more: Jesse Marsch explains Liam Cooper absence as Leeds United skipper misses Arsenal clash
It also gives the Leeds boss a headache of who he will choose to deputise on the right-hand side of his defence. Stuart Dallas would usually be the choice to play there when Ayling isn’t available but his injury puts paid to any chance of that.
A popular choice of Marcelo Bielsa’s was to play Jamie Shackleton in that position when his hand was forced so that could well be what Marsch chooses to do in the games against Chelsea, Brentford and Brighton. Although, considering he hasn’t played since February and with the next game just three days, it is a tough ask to expect him to come into the line-up seamlessly.
