The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Leeds United’s defeat at Arsenal.
Leeds United could leave with their heads held high as a first Premier League defeat of the season ultimately arrived at champions Arsenal. Here’s the YEP’s take and some off-camera moments from the Emirates.
Good day
It’s hard to pick out any Leeds players for a ‘good day’ as such as it won’t feel like it for any of them after being so close to getting a massive win at the champions only to undeservedly leave with nothing. There were, though, plenty of very good performances, led by Gabi Gudmundsson, James Justin and Ao Tanaka but everybody played pretty well. But despite getting just four minutes from the bench, the day could be described for a good one for summer signing Jean-Matteo Bahoya who suffered an ankle injury only last weekend for France’s under-21s. It was not hard to fear the worst at the time so to be back in action just one week later is a huge boost and he ought to now feature a fair bit more in the coming weeks.
Bad day
It would be harsh to pick any Leeds players out for a bad day after such an excellent performance but referee Paul Tierney wasn’t great, far from it. There were no massive calls that he got wrong but just wrong decisions such as awarding a free-kick against Anton Stach when he clearly won the ball in the first half. But it was the first-half bookings for Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu and James Justin that annoyed Farke who was also booked himself for stepping out of his area in protest. Farke said in his post-match presser that he was getting frustrated at Leeds players being booked for next to nothing but Arsenal men avoiding cautions for similar fouls. Tanaka’s booking was particularly soft and Farke had a point. The fact that Tanaka had been booked also led to Farke taking him off and Tanaka has been excellent so it all played a big part.
Off-camera moments
Plenty of Arsenal and Leeds half and half scarves both on sale outside of the Emirates Stadium and then on show inside it too. Several Gunners fans with their partners, friends and families could be seen wearing them as they took selfies before the game. Always feels like a big occasion when the two teams meet, even allowing for Leeds being in just their second season back in the country’s top flight.
On the half and half scarves front, ex-Leeds and Arsenal keeper David Seaman wearing one, the 63-year-old all smiles before kick-off and doing an interview over the PA system before the match.
Former Whites boss and Arsenal defender David O’Leary was another spotted in the crowd, looking very smart indeed in his suit.
The Leeds players doing their best to avoid the sprinklers in their pre-match pitch inspection. They found the funny side of it.
Both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor looking particularly sharp in the warm-up, Okafor showing some silky footwork skills before blasting home a powerful finish. It was a sign of things to come as both were good in the match itself.
Arsenal fans near the press box not at all happy with how the Gunners were struggling against Leeds in the first-half. Cries of wake up, show some urgency and sort it out being some of them. Make no mistake, Leeds had them on the ropes and this was a big chance that got away.
Absolute carnage in the away end after James Justin’s brilliant goal fired the Whites in front. Leeds had been so good that it felt like it was coming to be honest but to actually be 1-0 up at champions Arsenal was quite something and the away end loved it.
United’s players looking very forlorn after the full-time whistle on the realisation that such had a fine display had ultimately ended in a defeat. Gudmundsson looked particularly miffed. It looked like a similar vibe with United’s travelling fans in the away end immediately after full-time. But when the Leeds players went to applaud their travelling fans they were given a terrific reception with huge applause back and very loud We Are Leeds chant. They could be proud of their team and the team could be proud of the support in London, which even featured a Bulgaria flag presumably for Ilia Gruev.
A group of Arsenal fans getting on the tube at Holloway Road long after full time armed with some Stella’s and treating passengers to the full array of Gunners chants. “We know what we are, we know what we are, champions of England, we know what are.” Indeed and a very good and likeable club and team under Arteta but one that survived a big scare here.