The Leeds United attacker also outlined his pre-West Ham penalty preparations with Illan Meslier and his Wembley dreams
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
11:28, 09 Apr 2026
Wilfried Gnonto celebrates after scoring his penalty in the shoot-out vs West Ham United
View 2 Images
Wilfried Gnonto celebrates after scoring his penalty in the shoot-out vs West Ham United(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Wilfried Gnonto says Leeds United need to be "aggressive" in their final seven Premier League games in order to secure survival, having just enjoyed one of his most important days at the club.
The Whites currently sit four points above the relegation zone with Manchester United to play on Monday. It has been 45 years since Leeds won a league game at Old Trafford and Michael Carrick has lost just one of his 10 games in charge.
United have not won a Premier League game since the first week of February and have failed to score in their last four top-flight matches. Gnonto is aware of the task before his team but says his colleagues must try and forget about the pressures of the relegation battle on Monday.
“We've been together for all the difficult periods - we always try to help each other, and we always have a pretty good environment,” he told Leeds Live and other reporters while attending the opening of Stuart Dallas’ padel court - ‘Optimum Padel’ - in Cross Green Vale, Leeds.
FOLLOW OUR LUFC FACEBOOK PAGE!Latest news, analysis and more on our Leeds United FB page
OPINION
Author avatarIsaac JohnsonJames Justin explains why he was ‘bewildered’ by Leeds United changing room after transfer
“I feel like it is just nice to come in every day and enjoy ourselves together. So we have to keep doing it without thinking too much about the pressure and just keep enjoying ourselves.”
Asked whether he viewed the final seven league games as cup finals, as goes the adage, Gnonto replied: “Yes and no. I feel like every game this season has been difficult. We have fully good opponents, all different games.
“Yeah, I can see seven cup finals, but at the same time, we just have to try and be aggressive, be confident and try to do the job.”
Gnonto stepped up to score a spot kick in Sunday’s penalty shoot-out win over West Ham United in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Debutant goalkeeper Finlay Herrick, 20, managed to get a glove to his strike but the ball managed to find the net.
Wilfried Gnonto scores - just
View 2 Images
Wilfried Gnonto scores from the spot - just(Image: harlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Gnonto says he was always confident of delivering the goods, having practised penalties with Illan Meslier in the lead up to the cup tie. “Obviously, you have to be confident. I felt like I was going to score,” Gnonto added.
“It's good that the coach trusted me as well, so I just knew I was gonna score. I just went with confidence, and I did it. The day before I practiced with Illan and I scored.”
How did Gnonto rate the feeling of celebrating a trip to Wembley with 9,000 away fans after Pascal Struijk’s winning penalty kick? “Quite high. I think this was one of the most important moments since I played for Leeds, just because obviously the FA Cup is special.
“At the start, it wasn't realistic that we were going to be in the semi final, but we always have confidence. We focus on every game, and I feel like now we are pretty close and we fancy our chances [vs Chelsea in the semi-finals].”
Gnonto was in the Leeds line-up that fell to the 1-0 Championship play-off final defeat to Southampton in 2024, the last time the club played at Wembley. United have not scored in their last three visits to the national stadium and Gnonto is determined to correct that.
“I think it's gonna be amazing [as opposed to] last time when that wasn't too nice,” he said. “So hopefully we can give a good memory to our supporters, to ourselves.
"I feel like we can have a different ending this time. And obviously, winning the FA Cup, or getting to the final in this case, could be amazing. So we want to do it.”
Article continues below
Up to 55% off Leeds United kits plus £25 adult shirts
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
Various Prices
Leeds United Store
Buy Now on Leeds United Store
Leeds United have launched a flash Easter sale on the official club store with up to 55% off, including this season's adult jerseys for £25.