Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka has been a crucial player for Daniel Farke ever since joining the club last summer from Fortuna Dusseldorf.
The Japanese midfield maestro shone in 2024/25, with the first game against Everton also a standout performance for him in a Leeds United shirt.
Alongside Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach, Ao Tanaka was outstanding. However, Ethan Ampadu’s MCL injury ruled him out against Arsenal — and Leeds suffered for it.
They were well beaten 5-0 and Tanaka was withdrawn. Not only was the physicality of Arsenal’s midfield too much for Leeds, but there have been concerns previously regarding Ao Tanaka’s physicality.
Our Leeds player ratings reflect Tanaka, James, and Jayden Bogle as the standouts over the course of the 2024/25 season. Also, Tanaka was in the Championship Team of the Season.
Ao Tanaka and Willy Gnonto look on during Arsenal v Leeds United - Premier League
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Ao Tanaka injury length detailed by Daniel Farke
Against Arsenal, he went off and down the tunnel on 58 minutes. Tanaka limped as he was withdrawn. Speaking post-match, via The Yorkshire Evening Post, Farke explained the situation.
He 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.
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“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.”
Since then, Beren Cross and Adam Pope have revealed the extent of the issue, with Tanaka not involved against Sheffield Wednesday during the cup exit on penalties.
He will be out for a few weeks with Ampadu, and Pope has used similar language when detailing Farke’s comments.
It’s less than ideal for Leeds to lose two players in the same area of the pitch. He will not be back for the international break, though, similarly to Ampadu.
Daniel Farke gives his Leeds United team instructions against Sheffield Wednesday.
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Leeds United’s woeful record in cup competitions under Daniel Farke
Tanaka is a player Farke should build around but, in his absence, a double-pivot of Ilia Gruev and Sean Longstaff was on display, and Leeds struggled to generate anything from the middle of the pitch and most chances came from wide areas.
Per Jonny Cooper of Opta, Leeds have been totally out of luck in front of goal in such games. Farke’s cup record at Leeds is woeful and seems to be worsening.
In two League Cup second round ties under Farke, Leeds have had 58 shots, faced only 11 shots, accumulated an xG of 6.45, had 14 big chances, completed 1,091 passes, averaged 75.3% possession, and lost both via a penalty shootout.