Credit has been paid to Leeds United for their second-half performance and Elland Road atmosphere by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. The Whites laid on a much-improved display against the Premier League leaders, but came away from Sunday’s match empty-handed.
The Gunners ran out victorious after a solitary goal from Bukayo Saka in the first half which came from a high-risk, pitch-wide pass from Rodrigo to Pascal Struijk. The left-back was under pressure from the winger and ultimately that told in the opening before a sublime finish.
United would pepper the Arsenal goal, especially after the break, miss a penalty and then see a late second penalty call overturned by VAR. Arteta praised that second-half onslaught after the match.
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“We made it very difficult for ourselves because we didn't close the game in the first half and we should have done,” he said. “In the second half, we made too many mistakes that just gave opportunities and belief to Leeds.
“Credit to them. [In] the second half, they were really, really good, incredible atmosphere, and deserves credit for that as well.”
Arteta said he fully expected the atmosphere he saw at Elland Road on Sunday. He said: “It’s always intense here.
“We expected periods where it became really chaotic, the game and we have to handle that situation. [In] the first half we had some really, really good moments [in which] we should outplay them and then score two or three and we didn't.
“We left the game open and from the beginning, from the first whistle in the second half we started not at the rhythm and not making the right decisions time after time and we put ourselves in big trouble. Even when you get in those moments, I love the resilience, the fight, the character and the courage the team showed to win the game.”
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