Karl Darlow had a troubling game vs Arsenal(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Sometimes, you just have to hold your hands up and admit the other team were better. With Mikel Arteta spending more than £1billion – the same amount as the defence budget of some small nation – across his tenure, Arsenal should be a cut above.
If Leeds were to get anything out of the game, you felt they needed to strike first blood but Martin Zubimendi’s header from a superb Noni Madueke cross killed that mission. Karl Darlow’s own goal then made it a near-impossible task to come back against a side of this quality.
A defeat for Leeds United yesterday was expected. Perhaps more question looms over momentum and how they respond going into Friday’s crunch clash at home to Nottingham Forest. Daniel Farke says his team will not dwell on the result.
Arsenal were worthy winners but the manner of the first half goals left Farke annoyed. He admitted it was “tricky” to contemplate how Arsenal were allowed to get such a cross in during the second phase of play, after the corner came in for the first.
Martin Zubimendi headed the ball home unmarked to strike first blood and the concession of the second was disappointing too. Darlow’s flap at the ball while under pressure from his own man, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, was a tough one to stomach, even if the corner was dangerous.
Arsenal’s third left Leeds sunk folloing a good second half response after hald time. Darlow again should have perhaps done better, though blame also has to lie with Joe Rodon for not getting his head to the cross, allowing it to go over him.
When Farke was asked about the goalkeeper situation in regards to transfers after full-time, he replied: “Our board knows my feelings on what I think we should do.
“I won’t speak in public about my opinions as it only makes the market more difficult. Sadly I can’t answer that honestly.”
One main feature of the game was set pieces, or namely corners – as is clear from the last few paragraphs. Leeds will have placed more focus on this in training this week but struggled to deal with most of the dead balls thrown at them.
Ahead of the game, Arsenal led the way with 20 goals scored as a result of corners. Two more have been added to that tally today. There is little you can do if the corners whipped in are troublesome but trying to prevent corners will have helped.
A mix-up early on led to the Gunners securing their first corner inside the first two minutes. They went on to have 11 more. Leeds didn’t do enough to try and stop the Gunners at their best game but admittedly there is only so much you can do when the title favourites are on song.
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One thing that was evident throughout is that these lads have got the crowd behind them. Chants were blaring out at 4-0 down, supporters letting their players know of their feelings for the broader picture. A big credit to them.
As Farke said after full-time, Leeds need to move on quickly, put this to the back of their minds and prepare for the visit of Nottingham Forest in what will be a huge clash at the bottom of the table on Friday.
Few expected Leeds to get anything against the Gunners, and so it proved. Confidence will not take too much of a hit given the obvious gap between the two teams. The sooner they move on, the better given no momentum can be taken from this game.
The real test of resolve comes on Friday, with West Ham looking like they have elevated their levels. EVen if the gap remains six point, the relegation fight is still very much on.
