Anton Stach on Leeds United’s defeat at Arsenal.
Anton Stach says conceding an equaliser at Arsenal led to a problem that Leeds United just couldn’t control but the German has ultimately been left with a proud verdict of progress from his Whites.
Leeds went into the extended international break unbeaten but Daniel Farke’s Whites faced considerably their toughest test yet on their return with a trip to defending Premier League champions Arsenal in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at the Emirates.
United, though, produced an excellent first half display in which they had several chances to go ahead whilst limiting Arsenal to very few chances themselves as the opening 45 minutes ended goalless.
The theme continued after the break and it was no real surprise when Leeds went ahead in the 55th minute through James Justin who applied a brilliant finish into the top left corner from a Gabi Gudmundsson cross.
Farke’s side then pushed for a second goal but Arsenal drew level just seven minutes later as Riccardo Calafiori netted after Ben White sent a Noni Madueke cross back into the box and Stach felt the equaliser created the problem of the Gunners then being “on it”.
Mikel Arteta’s side then bagged what proved the game’s winning goal eight minutes later as a lovely move was finished off by a thumping finish from Bruno Guimaraes, Stach saying his side did all they could do try and hold off the Gunners pressure.
The German says his side were ultimately beaten by one of the best teams in the world, Stach saluting United’s overall progress and the many positives to take ahead of next Sunday’s return to action at home to Manchester United.
“I think we did well over 60, 65 minutes,” said Stach, as quoted by Leeds United’s official website.
“Sometimes you can’t defend everything”
“It was a really good away game. Away at Arsenal is not easy. They are one of the best teams in the world and then we competed very well.
“But the problem was when we conceded the goal, they were on it. They wanted to win it and they tried to attack with the crowd, with everybody. Sometimes you can’t defend everything.
“We tried everything. Sometimes it happens like this and I think we can be proud of our progress at the moment. We tried make it difficult for Arsenal. We tried everything tactically and also in terms of fighting.
“Nearly every game in the Premier League is very physical. I know that is one of our strengths, to be physical, and we tried to get it on the pitch today. I think we did quite well.
“It is always hard when you play against a good quality team. Arsenal have an amazing quality in the squad. But as I said, we competed well over 60, 65 minutes, and we need to take the positives and our recharge and then go again.”