The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Leeds United’s 4-0 defeat to Arsenal at Elland Road.
Good day
It wasn't.
Bad day
Karl Darlow
No one needed to tell him how bad it was, his face told the story as Leeds trudged back to halfway with a 2-0 deficit. Leeds needed to be on top form all across the pitch to stand a chance against Arsenal so an individual error like that one was always going to be so costly. Darlow wobbled after that, his kicking was poor - not that it has been stellar - and even if he made a decent stop from Gabriel Jesus later on, this will be a game he wants to forget. Darlow's job was to come in and calm things down between the sticks, like he did late last season, and Farke now has a bit of a headache in that department.
Daniel Farke
Having managed to dish out bloody noses against elite teams in recent weeks, Farke hoped to do the same against Arsenal. But the plan to contain them didn't work, Leeds didn't have enough going forward to bring any balance to the first half and they didn't really lay a glove on Arsenal on or off the ball. The selection of Ilia Gruev over Sean Longstaff, or James Justin over Sebastiaan Bornauw could be debated given Leeds needed physicality, height and a bit more nous. The defending of set-pieces was problematic. The half-time changes at least stemmed the tide for a while but Leeds were then picked off when space opened up. A bad day all round for the Whites boss, his staff and players.
Ilia Gruev
The midfielder just couldn't get near Arsenal or impact the game in the way he was supposed to. He was far from alone in struggling to get to grips with the league leaders but his role in the midfield felt especially key if Leeds were going to disrupt or live with Mikel Arteta's side. Gruev was hooked at the break as Farke went with a different formation.
Off-camera moments
Bukayo Saka coming off early during the warm-up looking less than pleased, before he was withdrawn from the starting line-up.
Alex Cairns living his best life, keeping the ball in the air with Joel Piroe, Sam Byram and Sean Longstaff as they made their way towards the touchline. Then giving Facundo Buonanotte a cuddle and geeing up Ao Tanaka.
Daniel Farke indicating with a gesture that Lesandro Trossard had dived to win an early free-kick.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin demanding his team-mates pull forward much closer to him as they prepared for a throw in. The striker was isolated too often during the game.
A bemused Pascal Struijk turning to look at the assistant referee, who saw no reason to flag when closest to the defender's challenge on Vikto Gyokeres before the referee deemed it a foul.
‘The Kop telling him he's just a substandard Kalvin Phillips’
Joe Rodon screaming at referee Stuart Attwell for not giving a handball.
Elland Road having fun at Arsenal's expense with chants about them finishing second again, spending so much money and not winning enough, and not singing despite sitting top of the table. Declan Rice copped for some too with the Kop telling him he's just a substandard Kalvin Phillips.
Joel Piroe pointing out to Willy Gnonto where Rice had stepped onto the pitch when taking a long throw.
Substitute Gnonto tugging on Martin Zubimendi's shirt as the Arsenal man went to take a throw that was awarded to Leeds.
Noah Okafor getting tactical instructions from Edmund Riemer at half-time as he prepared to make his entrance for the second half.
Okafor and Jurrien Timber having a little chat during a break in play, shortly after the defender was booked for taking down Gabriel Gudmundsson. Okafor later paid a visit to the Arsenal dressing room, passing through the mixed zone en route.
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