Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu has urged calm and conviction following Saturday’s 4–0 defeat to Arsenal, insisting belief within the squad remains strong despite the setback.
The Whites arrived in north London having lost just once in their previous ten league matches, carrying real momentum into another difficult fixture. That run was brought to an abrupt halt by a ruthless Arsenal display, with Mikel Arteta’s side underlining their title credentials with four unanswered goals.
Momentum Not Forgotten
Despite the scoreline, Ampadu was quick to remind supporters and teammates alike of the progress Leeds have made over the last two months. Speaking to club media post-match, the skipper stressed that one defeat - particularly against elite opposition — should not define their season.
“*Especially through the last couple months, we have been building some good momentum,*” Ampadu said.
“*We have put in some good performances and [are] full of belief, as we should be. Even though today has gone the way it has, we still have full belief in each other.*”
Learning The Right Lessons
The midfielder acknowledged the gulf in quality on the day but framed the result as a learning opportunity rather than a setback that lingers.
“We have got to put this one to bed now, learn from the mistakes,” he added.
“*I believe when you play against top teams, you have to say that they have got a lot of quality.*”
Immediate Chance To Respond At Elland Road
Leeds will not have long to dwell on the defeat, with a home clash against [**Nottingham Forest](https://www.vavel.com/en/data/nottingham-forest)**next up at Elland Road.
“*It is about dusting that off and then we have got a good game on Friday now,*” Ampadu continued.
“*We reflect, we learn from whatever result that has happened and we try to put it into good use for the next game.*”
Ampadu closed by reinforcing the mindset Leeds intend to carry through the remainder of the campaign, emphasising resilience and collective belief.
“*No matter what, there is going to be a lot of ups and downs throughout the rest of the season, not just for us, but other teams as well,*” he said.
“*We are full of fight. We have got full confidence that we can achieve what we want to achieve and what we set out to do.*”
Friday night at Elland Road now represents more than just another fixture, it’s a chance for Leeds to prove that recent progress hasn’t been undone by one harsh lesson against elite opposition.