Arsenal 4 Leeds United 2 - who had a good day, who had a bad day and what was the turning point at the Emirates?

LEEDS United fell to a 4-2 reverse in Sunday's Premier League clash at Arsenal in a true game of two halves.
By Graham Smyth
Published 15th Feb 2021, 11:49 BST
Updated 15th Feb 2021, 12:01 BST
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But who had a good day, who had a bad day and what was the turning point? The YEP's chief football writer Graham Smyth takes a look.

Good day

Niall Huggins

MISTAKE: Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier, right, looks on as referee Stuart Attwell marches forward to point to the penalty spot after Meslier's foul on Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, left. Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images.MISTAKE: Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier, right, looks on as referee Stuart Attwell marches forward to point to the penalty spot after Meslier's foul on Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, left. Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images.
MISTAKE: Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier, right, looks on as referee Stuart Attwell marches forward to point to the penalty spot after Meslier's foul on Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, left. Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images.

To make your senior debut at The Emirates against Arsenal must be a dream come true, even if your side is 4-0 down. The 20-year-old looked comfortable, despite the quality of the opposition and the dreadful conditions he walked into. Another player from the conveyor belt Marcelo Bielsa appears to trust.

Bad day

Illan Meslier

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The goalkeeper was under the cosh when he had the ball at his feet because Leeds couldn't get to grips with the Arsenal press. His errors led to a pair of goals but he wasn't solely responsible. His distribution has been good for the most part this season but Arsenal were ruthless.

Number of the day

5

Despite Arsenal's first half dominance and the scoreline, Leeds still managed to make a real game of it and had they taken their chances, which included five shots on target, it could all have been so different. It should comfort Whites that even in the big defeats, even against the bigges sides, their team have created chances.

Turning point

The interval

This game looked dead and buried at the break and a frightful drubbing was on the cards. Whatever was said in the dressing room, despite the fourth goal that arrived soon after the interval, Leeds performed much better in the second half and at least made a game of it. They can take heart and pride from that.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/arsenal-4-2-leeds-united-graham-smyths-player-ratings-stirring-second-half-comeback-falls-short-3134596

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Thank you Laura Collins

Related topics:ArsenalGraham SmythPremier LeagueNiall Huggins

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