'Many weapons', 'One of the toughest', 'Intensity' - What opponents have said about Leeds United this season
A second look this season at what opposition managers have said about Leeds United.
Leeds United have two weeks to reflect on what’s been an impressive start to the season with the international break underway. The Whites are 10 games into the Premier League campaign, their 14-point tally enough for ninth place.
During the extended international break through September and October, we looked back at what opposition managers had to say on Daniel Farke’s side. And with time to reflect this weekend, we’ve done the same for the five bosses to have faced Leeds in recent weeks.
Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
Arteta oversaw a 2-1 win over Leeds but his Arsenal side struggled and even fell behind at the Emirates. Asked ahead of that game if he was surprised by Leeds’ league position, the Gunners boss said: "When I watch their games, no. I think they fully deserve where they are because they've earned it.
“They are there because I think they merit with a lot of great things that they've done throughout matches to be better than the opponent. We know their qualities, we talked to [the players] in the last two days, and we are fully ready for it.”
Michael Carrick - Manchester United
Previewing his side’s trip to Leeds that ended in a 1-1 draw, Carrick said: “I think Daniel's done a really good job, I have to say, for a long period of time. They had a sticky start in there, but since they changed things a little bit at the start last season, they've gone really consistent.
“A dangerous team, played really well at Arsenal again last week and maybe a bit unlucky not to take anything from the game. It's a special game, going to Elland Road. It's one definitely to look forward to, it's where it brings everything out in you. All the senses are alive, the noise, the atmosphere, the intensity, everything's there, so we look forward to it.”
Reis Le Bris - Sunderland
speaking after a windswept 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light last month, Le Bris said: “Yeah, tight game, intense. Again, it's a good team. They’ve built momentum at the beginning of this Premier League. We struggle. We are struggling a little bit.
“I think we showed intensity, togetherness, and consistency. We avoided those unforced errors we committed, probably the last games. Today was okay. So it happens, but you have to learn quickly. At least against Lech Poznan, and now against a good team in Leeds, we showed more consistency.”
Marco Rose - Bournemouth
Speaking ahead of what ended up being a 2-0 win for his side, Cherries boss Rose said of Leeds: “They are quite compact, really committed in working out of possession against the ball, diligent, intense, good in duels and they have a good balance between simple solutions and a really good in possession game, so a good team, a tough challenge for us and we need to be ready for this challenge.
“Many weapons, set pieces, throw ins, Calvert-Lewin, top striker, always threatens a back line, it's difficult to defend him. The wing backs, really good, they are quite flexible in their possession game so unpredictable what they do, how they do it, they drop, they roll out, they overload spaces so you just have to be ready.”
Roberto De Zerbi - Tottenham
Previewing the game, a 1-0 defeat for his side in the end, Spurs boss De Zerbi said: “A very tough game. One of the toughest stadiums in the Premier League with the atmosphere of the fans. We can’t forget the beginning of the season and the last season as well.
"The intensity of Leeds is great, especially at home. They have a clear style of play. Not many teams defend as five but build up with four, especially on the right side. But we have the right qualities to play a good game.”