Leeds United’s fans have their say on the 2-1 defeat at Arsenal.
Leeds United ultimately fell to a first defeat of the Premier League season in their sixth game as Saturday’s clash at Arsenal ended in a 2-1 defeat - but what did the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury had to say.
NEIL GREWER
Leeds set up as I expected in a 5-4-1 formation out of possession and the tactic came close to success.
They deservedly took the lead on 51 minutes when James Justin expertly converted a loose ball in the area with Leeds having created the best opportunities from less possession up to then.
Arsenal’s reaction was swift with Mikel Arteta using some of his quality substitutes, and the pattern of the game changed, Riccardo Calafiori equalised from close range (with James Trafford close to diverting the ball over the bar) then a superb team goal finished by substitute Bruno Guimaraes proved to be the winner.
Leeds can take a lot from the game. They competed with the champions and asked questions of them – a massive improvement from last season.
Few teams can boast a midfield of Rice/Odegaard/Guimaraes – three players worth more than the entire Leeds team.
Leeds were solid, resolute, organised and, ultimately, beaten by pure brilliance. Leeds are not out of place in the top half of the league based on performances to date. Ultimately they can be disappointed with the result but massively encouraged by the performance.
Man of the match: James Justin – but most were excellent.
EVAN SEAMAN
A valiant Leeds United were eventually undone after a superb fightback from champions Arsenal which ended a five-match unbeaten run for the away side.
Despite the result, Leeds can take plenty of positives from the match after establishing an early lead thanks to an impressive finish from James Justin.
Gabriel Gudmundsson’s performance is also worth a mention. He constantly looked lively down the left flank and played a brilliant cross to set up Justin for the first goal of the game.
It was also an impressive performance overall considering how much possession Arsenal had for most of the game, and how Leeds managed to keep the score down for most of it.
However, an equaliser from attacking full-back Riccardo Calafiori and then a moment of magic from new signing Bruno Guimaraes gave the Gunners the three points in the end.
The result means Leeds drop down one place to sixth whereas Arsenal remain in second for now.
Next up for Leeds is Manchester United at Elland Road, which is always a feisty affair.
Man of the match: Gabriel Gudmundsson.
“Some players can’t last 90 minutes, and our subs aren't the same calibre. It’s no-one’s fault.”
DAVID WATKINS
I don’t often return from a Leeds defeat feeling this positive!
The Jury predicted we’d lose, but we all hoped for a decent performance to prove how much we’d progressed.
We got it. For an hour, Leeds were the better team, and deservedly snatched the lead when James Justin smashed home Gabi Gudmundsson’s cross.
Until then, Arsenal made only a few forays down either wing that rarely threatened; one decent Ødegaard strike and a weak Havertz header, the only worrying moments.
Meanwhile, Leeds created a couple of decent chances: one point-blank Raya stop to deny Gabi and, earlier, Raya backpedalled to save a looping Ethan Ampadu header.
One moment of slack defending then left a man free at the back post to set up Calafiori, and the game turned. Arsenal brought more quality off the bench, while we couldn’t.
That’s just where we are: we have a fine first XI that can match any side, but some players can’t last 90 minutes, and our subs aren't the same calibre. It’s no-one’s fault; we are still building, but we are years away from what Arsenal have. Their subs won the game for them – Guimarães finishing a lovely Arsenal move.
So, heads high, please give us a similar display next Sunday!
Man of the match: Every one of the starting XI.
KEITH INGHAM
Leeds left the Emirates Stadium without any points, but they departed with plenty of pride after an impressive performance.
James Justin’s opener appeared to jolt Arsenal into life, and the hosts eventually secured a 2-1 victory. Even so, the scoreline underlined just how far Leeds have progressed since last season’s games with them.
Daniel Farke kept faith with the side that started against Newcastle and Palace. Leeds created several promising opportunities to take the lead, but David Raya was in superb form. Arsenal, meanwhile, offered little threat to James Trafford. On the balance of play, Leeds were unfortunate not to be ahead at half-time. The second half was an excellent contest. Leeds finally broke the deadlock, James Justin converting Gabi Gudmundsson’s cross. A lovely finish from the defender.
Within five minutes, Arsenal had drawn level and, five minutes later, the Gunners were ahead. There are plenty of positives for Leeds, however. They matched their hosts for long periods but, when Arsenal can bring nearly £300m worth of talent off the bench, it is perhaps no surprise that they were able to turn the game around. I was very proud of that display.
Man of the match: James Justin – a superb goal and excellent throughout.
“They came away from the Emirates without points but with their heads held high”
MIKE GILL
This match was a great example of how far the Whites have progressed since last season.
They came away from the Emirates without points but with their heads held high, having pushed the Champions all the way. Although Arsenal had a bigger share of the possession, it was United who came closest to scoring in the first half and only the brilliance of goalkeeper David Raya saved the Gunners from embarrassment as they headed in for the break.
Noah Okafor had set the agenda very early with a curling effort which went just wide and Gabriel Gudmundsson was frustrated by Raya. Ten minutes into the second half, James Justin put the Whites ahead.
Gudmundsson went speeding down the left before cutting back a defence-splitting pass which Justin gleefully smashed into the back of the net.
This audacious act seemed to galvanise the Gunners who suddenly came to life as Riccardo Calafiori bundled the ball into the net from close range for the equaliser. Just after the hour, Mikel Arteta made three selections from his expensively assembled bench including Bruno Guimaraes who scored a world-class winner to break United's hearts. Progress continues to be made.
Man of the match: Gabriel Gudmundsson.