Anton Stach jostles with Bukayo Saka
Anton Stach jostles with Bukayo Saka(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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Anton Stach admits Leeds United tried but failed to regain the momentum of the match once Arsenal found their equaliser in Saturday's 2-1 defeat.
Seven minutes after James Justin’s 55th-minute opener, an unmarked Riccardo Calafiori shovelled the ball past James Trafford’s flapping arms from close range to draw the hosts level.
And in the 70th minute, after a raft of changes, substitute Bruno Guimaraes powered home a low drive from the edge of the box to get a goal that would ultimately prove to be the difference.
While Arsenal had most possession, Leeds had conjured the better chances up until Justin’s power-thud into the net.
But once the leveller was found, a formerly disgruntled Emirates Stadium rallied behind their men and the quality from Mikel Arteta’s bench proved too great a task to overcome for the Whites.
“I think we did well today, over 60, 65 minutes,” said Stach, post-match. “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.
READ MORE: James Justin hits nail on the head about Leeds United truth during Arsenal defeat
“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.”
Leeds won a number of turnovers and managed to work their way up the pitch with frequency in the first half. And while Kai Havertz did have two half-chances, Leeds mainly kept the home attackers at bay up until the first concession, using brawn as well as brains.
Stach continued: “We tried to 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.”