Daniel Farke learned three brutal lessons vs Arsenal as Leeds United torn apart — Leeds United News 23/8/25

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Luke Phelps

Leeds United were dealt a massive reality check on Saturday afternoon, losing 5-0 away at Arsenal.

After starting the season so well, with a 1-0 win over Everton in the Premier League, Leeds United massively let themselves down in a 5-0 defeat at Arsenal.

Viktor Gyokeres scored twice, and so too did Jurrien Timber in a thumping win for the Gunners. But for Daniel Farke’s side, it was a worrying reminder of how tough this season is going to be.

Here are three brutal lessons Farke learned on Saturday…

Lucas Perri looked shaky in goal for Leeds United

Lucas Perri is the new number one for Leeds, but in the game on Saturday, Leeds United fans were very unimpressed with Perri, with many even saying that they prefer Illan Meslier to come back despite his disastrous 2024-25 season.

Perri simply looked unassured in goal. There were times when he looked like a deer in the headlights against the likes of Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka who was also on the score sheet, and it will be very worrying for Farke who has just spent £15m on signing Perri from Lyon.

It’s still early doors and this game might be a wake-up call for Perri, but his performance against Arsenal was certainly a cause for concern.

Leeds United don’t have a direct replacement for Ethan Ampadu

Ethan Ampadu was absent for the game against Arsenal. Ahead of the weekend, it was revealed that Ampadu has picked up an injury and faces several weeks on the sidelines, and his absence was certainly felt in North London.

Whilst not the flashiest player, Ampadu simply brings calm and assurance to the Leeds United midfield and the Leeds United side as a whole. He’s a leader on and off the pitch and Leeds looked like they just lacked that kind of player in midfield on Saturday.

Ilia Gruev stepped in and he too put in a poor performance. And if the Bulgarian is the one who will replace Ampadu until he’s back, it certainly won’t go down well with Leeds United fans.

Farke no doubt had a plan for the Arsenal game, but figuring out what that plan is from a fan’s perspective is difficult. Leeds just looked like they had no clear direction in the game, whether that was to counter or try to impose some pressure on Arsenal themselves.

And what looked like a clear lack of plan was exposed by Arsenal, who themselves had a clear plan. They dominated the game from start to finish and never looked like losing. When that first goal went in, Leeds simply crumbled.

That said, this will be one of the toughest games Leeds will play all season, and they’ve already beaten Everton on home soil. If Farke can make Elland Road a fortress, Leeds could well stay up this season, but Leeds certainly need to get into these games with more of a clear plan of action.

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