Leeds United key role abandoned, Gnonto's throw-in intervention and off-camera Arsenal moments — YEP 1/2/26
By Graham Smyth
The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Leeds United’s
4-0 defeat to Arsenal at Elland Road.
Leeds United suffered a day to forget against Arsenal after
some memorable recent performances as Daniel Farke's plan to contain the league
leaders fell apart.
The Whites were beaten 4-0 at Elland Road in what was just
their second defeat in 12 outings, but did not give themselves a puncher's
chance against the heavyweights. Here's the YEP take.
Good day
It wasn't.
Bad day
Karl Darlow
No one needed to tell him how bad it was, his face told the
story as Leeds trudged back to halfway with a 2-0 deficit. Leeds needed to be
on top form all across the pitch to stand a chance against Arsenal so an
individual error like that one was always going to be so costly. Darlow wobbled
after that, his kicking was poor - not that it has been stellar - and even if
he made a decent stop from Gabriel Jesus later on, this will be a game he wants
to forget. Darlow's job was to come in and calm things down between the sticks,
like he did late last season, and Farke now has a bit of a headache in that
department.
Daniel Farke
Having managed to dish out bloody noses against elite teams
in recent weeks, Farke hoped to do the same against Arsenal. But the plan to
contain them didn't work, Leeds didn't have enough going forward to bring any
balance to the first half and they didn't really lay a glove on Arsenal on or
off the ball. The selection of Ilia Gruev over Sean Longstaff, or James Justin
over Sebastiaan Bornauw could be debated given Leeds needed physicality, height
and a bit more nous. The defending of set-pieces was problematic. The half-time
changes at least stemmed the tide for a while but Leeds were then picked off
when space opened up. A bad day all round for the Whites boss, his staff and
players.
Ilia Gruev
The midfielder just couldn't get near Arsenal or impact the
game in the way he was supposed to. He was far from alone in struggling to get
to grips with the league leaders but his role in the midfield felt especially
key if Leeds were going to disrupt or live with Mikel Arteta's side. Gruev was
hooked at the break as Farke went with a different formation.
Off-camera moments
Bukayo Saka coming off early during the warm-up looking less
than pleased, before he was withdrawn from the starting line-up.
Alex Cairns living his best life, keeping the ball in the
air with Joel Piroe, Sam Byram and Sean Longstaff as they made their way
towards the touchline. Then giving Facundo Buonanotte a cuddle and geeing up Ao
Tanaka.
Daniel Farke indicating with a gesture that Lesandro
Trossard had dived to win an early free-kick.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin demanding his team-mates pull forward
much closer to him as they prepared for a throw in. The striker was isolated
too often during the game.
A bemused Pascal Struijk turning to look at the assistant
referee, who saw no reason to flag when closest to the defender's challenge on
Vikto Gyokeres before the referee deemed it a foul.
Joe Rodon screaming at referee Stuart Attwell for not giving
a handball.
Elland Road having fun at Arsenal's expense with chants
about them finishing second again, spending so much money and not winning
enough, and not singing despite sitting top of the table. Declan Rice copped
for some too with the Kop telling him he's just a substandard Kalvin Phillips.
Joel Piroe pointing out to Willy Gnonto where Rice had
stepped onto the pitch when taking a long throw.
Substitute Gnonto tugging on Martin Zubimendi's shirt as the
Arsenal man went to take a throw that was awarded to Leeds.
Noah Okafor getting tactical instructions from Edmund Riemer
at half-time as he prepared to make his entrance for the second half.
Okafor and Jurrien Timber having a little chat during a
break in play, shortly after the defender was booked for taking down Gabriel
Gudmundsson. Okafor later paid a visit to the Arsenal dressing room, passing
through the mixed zone en route.
