Waiting in the wings for showtime

"A stage for consistency" is what Leeds United manager Daniel Farke says he has to provide for new signing Noah Okafor.

The Switzerland international has been lacking that in the past couple of seasons at AC Milan, including a loan spell at Napoli, according to Farke, who was keen to add in his pre-Arsenal news conference how the 25-year-old winger augments his playing staff. "We already have a lot, but if you want to have quality you can't have enough of it," said the German.

There was a definite sense of relief from Farke that Okafor fills the space vacated by last year's loanee left-winger Manor Solomon, who has returned to Tottenham. "We have lost this player in comparison to last season so it fits perfectly with the position right now that Noah plays," said Farke.

Consistency of performance but also of availability was one of the themes leading into the Arsenal game. The loss of captain Ethan Ampadu, for at least three matches, to another knee injury is a concern after he aggressively led United to victory over Everton. However, with seasoned Premier League campaigner Sean Longstaff in the ranks and the already impressive Anton Stach on board, Ampadu's absence is perhaps not the issue it may have been a few months ago.

After a clean sheet against David Moyes' side it would would suggest little or no change against the Gunners to a back four which now has Jaka Bijol available to it after suspension, as well as another debutant in waiting, Sebastiaan Bornauw.

So, the final third is where the consistency issue remains under most scrutiny. Dominic Calvert-Lewin could feature for the first time in a Leeds shirt alongside new boy Okafor. They both have chequered injury histories, as has Monday's match-winner Lukas Nmecha.

Joel Piroe's availabilty has been a constant for the past two seasons but 16-year-old Harry Gray's potential is yet to be realised. So one feels Farke, until the "one or two more signings in the offence" he alluded to materialise, must squeeze the minutes from his three top-of-the-pitch acquisitions.

Farke has the potential to give four debuts in the 17:30 BST kick-off at the Emirates, which will be a test of how well he has integrated nine new signings in all.

With the squad yet to be completed, as the search for another full-back also continues, consistency of performance will be sought, but a versatility may be required from all involved.

Rotation will be key for Farke as he provides the stage for his players, who will "have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts".

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