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Graham Smyth's Leeds United player ratings vs Arsenal as pair score just 4/10 and seven get 5s

Leeds United’s visit of Premier League title favourites Arsenal ended in a 4-0 defeat - but how did we rate the performances?

Leeds made a decent start in an even opening 20 games and Ethan Ampadu went close when sending a rasping drive from the edge of the box just over the bar.

Arsenal, though, were regularly winning corners and the Gunners went ahead in the 27th minute through Martin Zubimendi who flicked a powerful header past keeper Karl Darlow from Noni Maduke’s ball back into the box after a corner was cleared.

United’s response was limited and a horlicks from keeper Darlow led to Mikel Arteta’s side doubling their lead in the 38th minute from another corner, Darlow unable to deal with Madueke’s delivery which he punched into his own net amid a sea of Whites bodies at the near post.

Roared on by a brilliant home crowd, Leeds pushed Arsenal back after the break but the Gunners added a third goal in the 69th minute as a right flank cross from Gabriel Martinelli picked out Viktor Gyokeres who got infront of Jayden Bogle to convert from close range.

The goal flattened any remaining Leeds momentum and the Gunners added a fourth in the 86th minute with a clinical finish from substitute Gabriel Jesus who turned Pascal Struijk with back to goal before firing home a fierce drive into the bottom right corner.

Graham Smyth, the YEP’s chief football writer, hands out the scores.

4 - Didn't command his six-yard area enough for the second, which he punched into the net. Kicking wasn't great.

1. Karl Darlow

4 - Didn't command his six-yard area enough for the second, which he punched into the net. Kicking wasn't great. | Getty Images

5 - Struggled to make an impact in possession having to defend so much. Caught out by Gyokeres for the third.

2. Jayden Bogle

5 - Struggled to make an impact in possession having to defend so much. Caught out by Gyokeres for the third. | Mike Egerton/PA Wire

6 - Defended well enough, any part in the second goal was unwitting. Sacrificed at the break.

3. James Justin

6 - Defended well enough, any part in the second goal was unwitting. Sacrificed at the break. | AFP via Getty Images

5 - Not especially at fault but couldn't do enough to keep Arsenal at bay.

4. Joe Rodon

5 - Not especially at fault but couldn't do enough to keep Arsenal at bay. | AFP via Getty Images

5 - Won so many aerial duels in the first half, defended really well until he was drawn into the corner and didn't stop the cross for the third and was then done by Jesus' intelligence and strength for the fourth.

5. Pascal Struijk

5 - Won so many aerial duels in the first half, defended really well until he was drawn into the corner and didn't stop the cross for the third and was then done by Jesus' intelligence and strength for the fourth. | AFP via Getty Images

6 - Able to get forward in the second half when Leeds had their spell but was penned back for much of the game. Beaten by Madueke for the cross that made the opener.

6. Gabi Gudmundsson

6 - Able to get forward in the second half when Leeds had their spell but was penned back for much of the game. Beaten by Madueke for the cross that made the opener. | Getty Images

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