Leeds should axe Nico Elvedi vs Arsenal and recall 27-year-old who shone during international break
Jaka Bijol should be in real contention to start for Leeds United as they travel to Arsenal this weekend.
Bijol has lost his place in the Leeds starting eleven after finishing last season as a regular in the backline.
Daniel Farke pushed to bolster his defensive options in the summer, with Nico Elvedi arriving from Borussia Monchengladbach to take Bijol's spot.
The 27-year-old has been forced to watch on in their last three league games, but should return to the team for Saturday's 12.30pm kick-off.
His strong international performances and better Premier League stats than Elvedi show why Farke must shake up his backline at the Emirates on Saturday.
Leeds need to prioritise defensive solidity at the home of the champions, with Bijol clearly able to provide it in abundance.
Jaka Bijol must be in line to start against Arsenal
Bijol played 90 minutes in all four of Slovenia's Nations League fixtures over the international break, as they lost once and conceded just three goals.
He shone in the middle of their five-man defence away at Scotland on Tuesday, making the second-most accurate passes (79), second-most ball recoveries (7) and creating two chances, including one big chance.
The 27-year-old boasted better numbers in numerous key metrics in the PL last season than Elvedi, 30, has in the league in this campaign.
Bijol comes out on top when their accurate long ball (3.23 to 2.21), duels won (4.94 to 2.76), aerial duels won (3.14 to 1.66) and times dribbled past (0.29 to 0.83) per 90 stats are compared.
His tackles won (1.24 to 0.55), interceptions won (1.14 to 1.1), recoveries (3 to 2.21) and clearances (7.61 to 4.97) per 90 in 2025-26 were also superior than Elvedi so far since joining the Whites.
The stats prove that Bijol is a better pure defender than his Leeds teammate, so he should be reinstated this weekend against one of the best teams in the world.
Slovenian media believe Bijol has improved this season
Bijol is a regular starter for his country and will be hoping to carry his strong international form over to club football if given a chance by Farke this weekend.
Slovenian media clearly believe that he deserves the chance to show what he has got after four strong performances in their successful Nations League start.
Dnevnik praised his Scotland showing by saying; "Raw power and incredible composure when the pressure is at its peak in the penalty area. After missing out on a place in the Leeds team, he has become more reliable, determined and self-assured with every match for the national team.
"Not only is he a flying fortress defending the Slovenian goal, but as a former defensive midfielder, he also plays a major part in building up play. According to the statistics, he is one of the best defenders in this year’s Nations League.
While Ekipa also gushed over his latest display, writing: "Bijol remained the calmest, making several excellent blocks and helping his teammates to score."