Pascal Struijk said his side held firm early on but could not cope once Arsenal broke through, praising their quality and set-piece threat.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Viktor Gyoekeres of Arsenal battles for possession with Pascal Struijk of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on August 23, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Pascal Struijk admitted Leeds had little answer to Arsenal’s quality after their 5-0 defeat at the Emirates, describing Mikel Arteta’s side as “a really good team”.
Speaking to LUTV after the game, the Leeds defender said: “Over the last few years we’ve seen where they have finished in the season, so they are a really good team.
“I feel like we were good and solid until around minute 35 when we conceded at the set-piece. You look at the record they have set-pieces and they’re a pretty good team.
“We were just a bit unfortunate to go in at half-time having conceded for two-nil. I just feel that changed the momentum going in. It was never going to be easy coming here, I feel like they’re a title competing team, so it was always going to be tough.
“We can’t dwell on it too much because we’ve got a quick turnaround,” he added with Leeds set to play Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Viktor Gyoekeres of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on August 23, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Leeds resisted for half an hour before Arsenal’s dominance told. Jurriën Timber broke the deadlock with a firm header from a corner, before Bukayo Saka doubled the advantage in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
The England international’s strike arrived shortly before he suffered a hamstring injury that forced him off in the second half, raising fresh concern after months out last season with a similar issue in his other leg.
Earlier, captain Martin Ødegaard had also been forced off after landing heavily on his shoulder, a setback that also casts doubt on his availability for next weekend’s trip to Liverpool. “It’s not great news,” Arteta said afterwards. “We’ll have to scan him tomorrow and understand a bit better.”
If injuries clouded Arsenal’s afternoon, the football did not. Timber added his second goal shortly after Viktor Gyökeres scored his first for the club, a powerful low finish that flew past Lucas Perri.
The Swedish striker completed his brace from the penalty spot in added time after 15-year-old debutant Max Dowman was brought down in the area.
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