Arsenal performance didn't prove Leeds United are Premier League ready but it held a key for Marcelo Bielsa

The Argentine’s footballing philosophy was broadcast to the masses and drew praise from almost all quarters on Monday night, as the Whites got the better of top flight opposition for 45 minutes, before an eventual 1-0 FA Cup third round defeat at the Emirates.

Bielsa was asked if his team had proved that they are capable of competing in the Premier League, but played a straight bat.

“It is not a question I can answer,” he said. “It is a hypothesis we don’t know is going to happen.

“We lost 4-0 against Manchester United (in a pre-season friendly last summer) and I don’t think that we can take conclusions from this match, if we are able to play in the Premier League or not.”

But the game will aid Bielsa and his coaching team as they bid to guide Leeds across the finish line in the Championship.

Going into Saturday’s home clash against Sheffield Wednesday, United sit top and have a nine-point lead over third placed Brentford.

What they need and what Bielsa will continue to search for, is the ability to produce their Emirates first half display for 90 minutes – every week.

“In the second half (against Arsenal)we allowed the opponent to react,” he said. “In a match where we have shown that we were able to beat the opponent, we have to analyse the (second half) because that is where we are going to grow.

"Teams have a process, a development.

“In some moments idealists try to focus on the good things, but in this moment in our team, even more because we have to play for important things, we have to concentrate on having a consistent performance.”