Kalvin Phillips reflects on Leeds United's display as mission accomplished at Arsenal despite unlucky exit from FA Cup

United dominated the first half of Monday night's clash at The Emirates but the Whites were continually denied an opening goal with striker Patrick Bamford coming closest when hitting the crossbar.

Premier Division hosts Arsenal then significantly improved after the break and after Alexandre Lacazette's free-kick had hit the crossbar, Reiss Nelson scrambled the only goal of the game five minutes before the hour.

"The game was kind of come here and if we win, excellent, and if we don't then try and do our best out on the pitch and I think we did that," said Whites midfielder Phillips.

"I think now our focus is on the league and getting back to the Premier League, which I am sure we can do.

"I think in the first half we played very well. We set off passing very well, it was just the football we normally play and I think it kind of shocked Arsenal a little bit.

"Then in the second half they came out and won a few chances in midfield and went 50-50 in the game.

"I don't think we played badly in the second half, I think it was just more of an even game.

"They created chances and so did we and overall I think we were very pleased with our performance."

Leeds created a host of goalscoring chances in the first half with Arsenal completely outplayed, but United were ultimately left to rue not bagging an opener.

Assessing the 0-0 scoreline at the break, Phillips said: "I don't think it was a concern.

"We came here against a very good Premier League side expecting just to play our football and that's what we did.

"We were very unlucky not to convert all of the chances that we had but I think we always had a feeling that if we scored one then we can go on and score more but it wasn't meant to be."

Reflecting on United's fine football in the first half, Phillips said: "We have been playing football like that for a while.

"I think Arsenal were very surprised with the way we came out, the way we wanted to get on the ball, the way we won the ball and tackles and stuff like that and I think we surprised them.

"I think it just goes down to the hard work we do on the training pitch and the players we have got and the team."