This was another game against one of the traditional big teams of the Premier League but Arsenal are in the bottom half of the table, so could Leeds bounce back from back to back 4-1 defeats and get only a second home win of the season?
It was raining at Elland Road, and Leeds captain Liam Cooper did a video call with a Leeds fan who is of course missing the chance to walk out with his team, so Cooper walked out with him via a video call, so he could get an virtual experience of the walkout.
Reference for picture: https://www.facebook.com/LeedsUnited/photos
After five minutes , Raphinha shot miles over, but a good start by Leeds.
Five minutes later, Ceballos won the ball back and arrowed a shot towards goal, but it went wide.
Three minutes later, Harrison and Alioski linked nicely down the left, Alioski crossed and Bamford toe-poked it and the power was lacking.
After 20 minutes, Pepe’s cross ended up hitting the bar and staying in play.
Four minutes later, Aubayemang shot went over the bar.
Three minutes later, Leeds did a quick counter attack And Alioski passed to Raphinha who had a shot that had a bit of whip on it and it went just wide, but Leeds creating chances.
On the half hour mark, another Leeds chance as Bamford’s half volley was saved by Leno and then Alioski shot wide.
Three minutes later, Harrison did a early cross which was missed by Bamford and Dallas shot wide.
After 38 minutes, Phillips shot high and wide.
Two minutes later, Klich ended a good Leeds move by Leeds with a shot that went over the bar.
Before halftime there were 2 more chances as Ayling shot over the bar after well worked freekick for Leeds.
And for Arsenal Pepe shot wide from outside the box.
Halftime score: Â Leeds United 0-0 Arsenal
So a half dominated by Leeds but they couldn’t take their chances, would they be punished for these?
Five minutes into the second half, and we had a big moment and a moment of madness as Pepe and Alioski had a bit of pushing and then Pepe retaliated and headbutted Alioski off the ball, the referee went over to the pitchside monitor, only needed one look at it and he sent Pepe off.
Leeds would have 40 + minutes against 10 men, would they be able to make one of their chances count?
Just before the hour mark, a good move by Arsenal and Aubayemang spun and shot tamely.
After 64 minutes, Dallas’s shot was saved by Leno and Coopr headed wide from the corner.
Five minutes later, a cross by an Arsenal player was headed away by Cooper.
After 73 minutes, Raphinha crossed and Bamford’s header went wide.
Then 2 minutes later, Xhaka freekick went over the bar. A minute later Rodrigo shot from outside the box went just wide.
With just under ten minutes remaining, Rodrigo’s shot hit the bar, would it happen for Leeds?
After 83 minutes, Poveda’s shot went straight at Leno. A minute later, Bellerin passed to Saka and Saka rounded Meslier but Meslier saved.
With three minutes remaining, Leeds hit the post again with Bamford’s header.
In stoppage time, Klich shot over.
In the last minute of the game, Leeds had one more chance but Raphinha’s shot hit the bar and post.
Fulltime score: Â Leeds United 0-0 Arsenal
So a frustrating afternoon for Leeds as they just couldn’t find a way to score. It felt like all those Championship games where Leeds dominated but couldn’t take chances. Leeds moved up a place to 14th in the Premier League table on 11 points.
Next for Leeds is an away trip to Everton next Saturday teatime at 5:30pm.
Highlights of the game are below:
