Dominic Calvert-Lewin in action for Leeds
Credit: Imago
Daniel Lewis
Sat 31 January 2026 17:54, UK
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was one of a number of Leeds United players to disappoint in Saturday’s defeat to Arsenal.
Arsenal were 4-0 winners at Elland Road in a one-sided Premier League clash that saw Daniel Farke’s side produce one of their worst displays of the season.
Martin Zubimendi gave Arsenal the lead shortly before the half-hour mark and Karl Darlow’s own goal then had the Gunners in command before half-time.
Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus rounded off the scoring in the second 45 as Arsenal returned to winning ways in the league.
The day may have turned out even worse for Leeds, though, had Calvert-Lewin not got away with an incident in the first half.
Leeds vs Arsenal match stats
Credit: Breaking Media
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin avoids red card for challenge on Gabriel
Calvert-Lewin could not get into the game at all as he went a third game without finding the net.
The former Everton striker was replaced late on, but he could easily have been sent off in the first half at Elland Road.
Calvert-Lewin caught Arsenal defender Gabriel on the shin with a badly-timed challenge that somehow went unpunished by referee Stuart Attwell.
In the view of former FIFA referee Keith Hackett, Calvert-Lewin was fortunate to avoid a booking of any sort, with the challenge potentially even worthy of a red card and a subsequent three-game ban.
“This is a challenge that should without a doubt have received a sanction,” Hackett exclusively told MOT Leeds News.
“Frankly, the player has committed the challenge whilst running towards his opponent.
“The challenge landed on the shin of his opponent, so at the very least it should have been determined as reckless.
"This could be any score, it's ALL Arsenal" 🔴
Arsenal have doubled their lead after Karl Darlow mistimed a clearance from a corner and punched the ball into his own net 🫣 pic.twitter.com/CHmmv4k4pB
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 31, 2026
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“That would mean a yellow card, but I can frankly find a case for serious foul play and a red card. I see some malice in this challenge.”
Calvert-Lewin’s shocker vs Arsenal in numbers
Calvert-Lewin was by no means Leeds’ worst performer against Arsenal – take your pick from Darlow and his defenders for that honour – but he did produce a poor display.
As highlighted by the Sofascore graphic below, Calvert-Lewin had just 16 touches of the ball and gave away possession eight times.
Calvert-Lewin stats vs Arsenal
Credit: Sofascore
He also failed to register a single shot and won only five of his 13 duels across his 85 minutes on the field.
Farke will demand far more from his main striker, who now has just one goal in his past six outings.
Thankfully for Farke, DCL will have a chance to respond versus Nottingham Forest next Friday, rather than watching from the stands had he been dismissed against Arsenal.
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