Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United make their point and show they belong despite Arsenal FA Cup defeat - Graham Smyth's Verdict

The 1-0 defeat and the manner in which it came might just have been a blessing in disguise, because Leeds proved to everyone, themselves included, that they can compete with top flight sides.

In fact, for the first 45 minutes they were the side most closely resembling a Premier League outfit, the only side on display worthy of gracing such magnificent surroundings – and that was with first choice players on the bench.

Eight thousand Whites roared their approval as Leeds battered the Gunners, creating chances, hitting the woodwork, forcing Emi Martinez into action, out-playing, out-running and out-fighting the Londoners.

Bielsa might not think it was an acceptable result, his grouchy demeanour after this season’s Carabao Cup exit showed how much he values each game, in each competition.

But Leeds can now give 100 per cent of their focus and time to the priority, to ensuring they grace grounds like that on a weekly basis next season.

Leeds didn’t look out of place all night but started the game particularly brilliantly.

There were few signs of any big-stage nerves, not even from debutants Robbie Gotts and Ilan Meslier, although he initially forgot that his side go into a huddle before kick-off.

His first touch came on five minutes, an assured diagonal pass that he would repeat time and time again throughout the evening. His first save came on eight, from a long distance Nicolas Pépé effort.

By that stage Leeds had already created chances, Kalvin Phillips’ free-kick glanced wide by Patrick Bamford, who then ran onto a Mateusz Klich pass, following a Rob Holding mistake, but had his near post effort blocked by Sokratis.

The Leeds press was making life more than a little uncomfortable for a sloppy Arsenal side, Klich forcing an error high up the pitch before Gjanni Alioski almost followed suit by chasing after and rushing Martinez.

The Whites got on top. Arsenal’s stopper had to fly to his left to beat out Jack Harrison’s shot, then some lightning quick interplay unlocked the Gunners’ defence completely, Bamford smacking the ball off the crossbar.

Harrison tested Martinez again with a low drive and Arsenal visibly wilted under the pressure, Klich winning the ball several times in the opposition half, keeping Leeds on the front foot.

When Martinez spilled Phillips’ curling free-kick, it was clear the home side were rattled.

Even when Mikel Arteta’s men finally attacked, they looked vulnerable within seconds, Leeds winning the ball in their own box and countering with pace, Gotts finding Alioski, who shot across goal and wide.

Again, Arsenal came forward and again when they lost the ball high up the pitch they were slow to recover as Leeds raced upfield, Alioski picking out Harrison whose half volley was held by Martinez.

David Luiz served a reminder that there were two teams vying for a place in the fourth round with a long range shot that was deflected over and a header wide from the subsequent corner.

But Leeds were soon back on the attack, a terrific cross from Luke Ayling met by the shoulder of Sokratis, under heavy pressure from Alioski, Martinez able to claw it out of his goalmouth.

The score was 0-0 at the break and Arsenal were lucky to have nil, mustering just a couple of shots to the 15 fired in by United.

The second half was different, almost from the off.

Reiss Nelson showed his blistering pace and Ben White had to work hard to stick with him all the way to the penalty area, where he delayed his man long enough for help to arrive in the form of Barry Douglas.

Arsenal responded well to the battering they received in the first half, doing almost everything better.

They cut out the poor passes at the back, coped well with Leeds’ fierce press and did more with their possession, presumably after a half-time rollicking from Mikel Arteta.

And the home side built some momentum.

An Alexandrea Lacazette free-kick clipped the top of the crossbar, Meslier saved from the same player and Matteo Guendouzi stroked a shot wide.

Suddenly it was a cup tie, with an atmosphere at both ends.

Play switched back to the other end, in front of the travelling fans and Bamford tried to pick out the bottom corner from 20 yards, Martinez saving again.

When Arsenal went back upfield, they took the lead.

Pepe swept the ball into the area, Gaetano Berardi was only able to deflect it into the path of Nelson and he tucked it home.

Against a Premier League side finally playing like a Premier League side, Leeds found life harder.

Yet they could have received a lifeline, had the first VAR check of their 100-year history found in their favour.

An apparent kick out at Berardi by Lacazette was spotted and checked, but the Arsenal man escaped punishment.

A reminder, perhaps, that this was still Leeds United in London, where things do not go their way.

Arsenal continued to improve and control more of the match, substitute Gabriel Martinelli showing quick feet to dance into space and fire off a shot that Meslier saved well.

Even with the fresh legs Bielsa sent on in the second half, Stuart Dallas, Helder Costa and Jordan Stevens, Leeds were unable to get back on top of the game.

Sokratis met a corner and sent it over, Leeds won a corner and did nothing with it.

Arsenal managed the clock well, VAR checked a nothing incident and barring a late Harrison break down the left that ended without a shot on goal, Leeds couldn’t find a way back into it.

But when they approached the packed away end, there was nothing but love and pride coming back at them.

On this evidence, it is where they and that travelling support belong.