Stuart Dallas rues missed chances but left pleased by Leeds United's fight in Arsenal stalemate

Leeds United's utility man reflected on a hard-fought draw with Arsenal.
Leeds United's Stuart Dallas shoots against Arsenal. (Tony Johnson)Leeds United's Stuart Dallas shoots against Arsenal. (Tony Johnson)
Leeds United's Stuart Dallas shoots against Arsenal. (Tony Johnson)

Stuart Dallas was left to rue Leeds United's missed chances against Arsenal following a battling 0-0 draw at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.

Marcelo Bielsa's side put in a dominant display in LS11, but were unable to convert a number of chances into three points.

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The Gunners - who were second best for much of the first half - saw Nicolas Pepe sent off in the second period after VAR picked up a headbutt on United's Gjanni Alioski.

Referee Anthony Taylor consulted the on-pitch screen, before giving the winger his marching orders following the altercation which happened off the ball.

Dallas, who was making his 200th appearance for the Whites, missed a good chance before the break with Gunners stopper Bernd Leno then denying the Northern Irishman after the interval with a brilliant one-handed save.

United's number nine Patrick Bamford struck the woodwork with a header whilst substitute Rodrigo twice saw efforts rebound off the goal frame as Leeds cranked up the pressure.

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Debutant Raphinha also struck the outside of Leno's post with a strike from inside the visiting box with the Arsenal goal leading a charmed life.

Bielsa's team, though, were forced to settle for what became a frustrating draw, but with the point stopped the rot in the Premier League following back-to-back defeats before the international break.

"I think we certainly created enough chances and did enough to win it," Dallas reflected post-match.

"The sending off definitely changed the game - we had a lot of possession in the second half, they were camped in.

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"If you can't win the game then you have to make sure you don't lose it. They were dangerous a few times on the counter-attack.

"It's something we have worked really hard on over the break and since most of us came back during the week. We'll take a point now and move on.

Dallas added: "They camped in and got a good shape [after the red card], they made it difficult. They forced us to play through them and we did create chances.

"You have to give them credit as well. Losing a man is never easy and they dug in and I'm sure they will be happy with a point."

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Asked if he should've done better with his own chances against Mikel Arteta's men, he added: "Probably, yeah.

"Looking back on it there was time to take a touch [in the first half]. These things happen so quickly and I suppose that's the bit of quality you need. It's part of my game I am working on.

"In the second half the goalkeeper has pulled off a great save and it is just unfortunate that it didn't manage to go in.

"We'll move forward now to next week. We're disappointed we didn't win."

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