LEEDS United manager Daniel Farke took his side's comprehensive 4-0 home loss to title favourites Arsenal firmly on the chin - and acknowledged that the hosts could not contain 'the best side currently in Europe'.
The league leaders shrugged off a three-match winless sequence to post an emphatic victory at Elland Road, as they took their goals tally against Leeds this season to nine goals in two matches. The result also constituted Arsenal's seventh successive league triumph over United.
Martin Zubimendi headed Arsenal in front on 27 minutes and a clanger from Karl Darlow gift-wrapped a second before half-time.
Viktor Gyokeres then scored his third goal against Leeds this season to settle the issue as a meaningful contest and substitute Gabriel Jesus added a late fourth.
Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin is greeted by manager Daniel Farke (left) after being substituted off during the Premier League match against Arsenal at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.placeholder image
Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin is greeted by manager Daniel Farke (left) after being substituted off during the Premier League match against Arsenal at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.
Farke, whose side lost for the first time in six home matches, said: "First of all, congratulations to Arsenal. It was a deserved win today. We have to accept that the better team won this game.
"Of course, we were also realistic before. We faced the best side currently in Europe.
"There are reasons why this team is sitting on the top of the table in the Premier League and why this team is the best team currently in Europe with eight wins out of eight Champions League games.
"And of course, you need a perfect day in order to give yourself a chance, and also a bit of luck that this side is then perhaps not there with their best day, and not super effective.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (left) and players applauds the fans following victory in the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.placeholder image
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (left) and players applauds the fans following victory in the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.
"But today, sadly, we didn't have our very best day, and they were on it from the first to the last second, and for that they deserve to win this game, and we have to accept their quality today.
"They were better, and for that there's not too much to over-interpret into this game."
On Darlow's clapper after punching a corner from Noni Madueke into his own net - the Arsenal winger replaced Bukayo Sayo after he suffered an injury in the warm-up - the Leeds chief added: "Yes, overall, of course, he's disappointed with the situation.
"I think, in general, the key was today we didn't find the solution to create chances against them to score goals.
"We were not really able to create chances. This was the first part of our game. Second part, against the ball, in the first half, out of the game, I can't really remember a chance for them, but obviously set-pieces are also a big topic for them.
"I think we gave a few too many away. Initially, we defended all the corners pretty spot-on, but the problem was, if you then clear sometimes a corner, and then there's a second phase, and to concede out of this situation, that was tricky.
"Of course, the crossing situation, we were then in the centre, over-shifting too far to the first post, and had an under-load, and they had a relatively easy 1-0.
"I have to watch it back (second goal), it was an own goal probably, but here was not really one Arsenal player close to it. Of course, we should defend this situation better. If you concede two goals like this, and you are 2-0 down against the best side in Europe, then it was always clear it could be a long, long afternoon."
Despite a one-sided afternoon, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta paid tribute to Leeds afterwards and says he sees no reason why they cannot achieve their season's aims of clinching Premier League safety.
He said: "I think so. They are a really tough, hard-working side who have quality and a lot of variations.
"They can play in different ways. It's also an amazing stadium and a beautiful atmosphere.
"It's a joy to play football at this type of ground."