Leeds United were hammered 5-0 by Arsenal, leaving Daniel Farke and co. with lessons to learn from their first Premier League away game.
It was a serious reality check, according to Jermaine Beckford, about what the Premier League entails, with it being just Leeds United’s second league defeat in 30 matches following a 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth back in March.
There will be many more of those to come in English football’s top flight. It was Leeds’ first five+ goal defeat since Liverpool put six past them at Elland Road in April 2023.
The ability mentally to park that and swiftly move on is likely to be crucial for Leeds. The other need is to bed in more of their new players, with just three summer signings starting at The Emirates.
Gabriel Gudmundsson, Anton Stach, and Lucas Perri were starting alongside eight of Leeds’ Championship core; and the gulf in class showed.
Daniel Farke, Manager of Leeds United.
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Daniel Farke calls out Leeds United trio defensively for Arsenal
There were a number of players culpable at various moments, with the goals never the fault of one single player at any one time. Leeds, collectively, were not at the races.
Farke talked up a gameplan of attacking Arsenal in his press conference, but Leeds played right into Arsenal’s hands in terms of their build-up. Gary Neville criticised Leeds’ tactics in the first phases.
It was simple for Mikel Arteta’s side to cut through Leeds. However, Farke apportioned the majority of blame to three individuals, even if only indirectly and not by name. They were in defensive areas, too.
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Per Beren Cross of The Athletic, Farke said: “Bit annoying how we conceded the goals. [Jurrien] Timber between my centre-halves, conceding in added time too.
“Scored from a difficult angle. Penalty looked soft. When everything comes together for them, it’s always difficult. Not a season-defining game for us.”
The players Farke is suggesting and he is indirectly calling out as at fault are Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, and Perri — meaning Leeds fans are already calling for Illan Meslier.
With Ilia Gruev particularly disappointing on the second goal, and both Jayden Bogle and Struijk weak on the third, it feels as though Farke may have had more to say in private to a number of players yesterday.
Ao Tanaka and Willy Gnonto look on during Arsenal v Leeds United - Premier League
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Ao Tanaka’s injury scare in Arsenal 5-0 Leeds
Not only was the physicality of Arsenal’s midfield too much for Leeds, and there have been concerns previously regarding Ao Tanaka’s physicality, but he also went off and down the tunnel on 58 minutes.
Speaking post-match, via The Yorkshire Evening Post, Farke said: “After a tackle in the first half, he had problems with his MCL.
“He kept going and I hope it’s not too bad. I hope the assessment is not too bad. There are a few concerns that it would be an injury.
“But it’s normally positive that he could play further on. But we will have to assess him and we will see how long it takes to get him fit and back to full fitness.”