Leeds United manager Daniel Farke
Image credit: Getty Images
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke admitted his side were simply outclassed after a bruising 5-0 defeat to Arsenal in their Premier League opener at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The German coach, renowned for his pragmatic assessments, went as far as to hail Mikel Arteta’s men as “probably the best team in the whole of Europe” over the past three years, praising their consistency, pressing, and ruthless edge in front of goal.
Arsenal set the tone from the start and punished the newly promoted visitors with a clinical display. Jurrien Timber struck twice from corners (34’, 56’), Bukayo Saka added a third on the stroke of half-time (45+1’), while new signing Viktor Gyokeres marked his Premier League debut with a brace (48’, 90+4’). Remarkably, the Gunners converted all five of their shots on target into goals, a statistic Farke pointed to as evidence of their quality.
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“Five shots on target, five goals,” Farke reflected afterwards. “When a team like Arsenal is on it, it’s always difficult for a newly promoted side.”
Leeds, back in the Premier League after storming to the Championship title with 100 points last season, were further hampered by the absence of captain Ethan Ampadu, sidelined with an MCL injury.
Farke admitted losing his “most important player” compounded the challenge of facing a sold-out Emirates crowd and an Arsenal side buoyed by the pre-match announcement of a £60 million move for Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.
“They were the better side and deserved to win with a proper goal difference,” Farke said. “In the last three years, no other team has shown this consistency. Their pressing and counter-pressing are among the best in the world.”
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Despite the scoreline, the Leeds boss took encouragement from his team’s response in the final half-hour. “From minute 60, we were more solid and didn’t fall apart,” he noted, though he admitted frustration over Timber’s goals, which he described as “coming right in between my two strongest defensive players.”
The night also brought a landmark moment for Arsenal, as 15-year-old Max Dowman made his senior debut, becoming the second-youngest player in Premier League history. The teenager immediately made an impact, winning a penalty and further underlining the depth of Arteta’s squad.
For Farke, the heavy defeat underscored the challenges awaiting Leeds in their return to the top flight. Having previously suffered relegations with Norwich City despite Championship success, the 48-year-old knows the test ahead.
“We won’t sell out our DNA and park the bus,” he insisted before kick-off, reaffirming his attacking philosophy. Yet Saturday’s reality check against one of Europe’s elite showed just how steep the climb will be.
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