Credit: Tung Manh Phan

Richie Mills

Sun 12 April 2026 11:30, UK

Mikel Arteta was like the boy who cried wolf in Arsenal’s loss to Bournemouth, but Leeds United have been the biggest victims of time-wasting tactics in a one-off game.

Arsenal missed the chance to go 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League table after losing 2-1 at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Despite sitting atop the pile for much of the season, the Gunners have drawn criticism for their physical nature, set-piece reliant approach, and for sometimes engaging in the dark arts.

That includes running the clock down by any means necessary, including time-wasting for goal kicks, corners, thrown-ins, and more.

While Leeds prepare for a trip to rivals Manchester United, Arteta cannot have many complaints about Bournemouth’s apparent time-wasting, particularly as Daniel Farke‘s team were subjected to a particularly potent dose of it against Sunderland on 3 March.

Arsenal’s ‘unnecessary’ time-wasting called out

In the dying embers of Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium, Arteta was seen tapping his watch as the visitors ran down the clock.

The old adage, “People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”, comes to mind, particularly as Arsenal are some of the worst exponents of time-wasting.

But in Leeds’ defeat to Sunderland just over a month ago, Regis Le Bris’ men, arguably, took that to a new extreme.

According to LUFC Data, Sunderland’s stoppages totalled just over 31 minutes, while Leeds were down at 23 minutes.

Moreover, Sunderland goalkeeper Melker Ellborg spent four minutes taking six goal kicks, and the visitors took eight minutes for 19 throws.

Leeds, on the other hand, completed 22 throw-ins in the space of four and a half minutes.

And according to Times journalist Hamzah Khalique-Loonat, Arsenal’s stoppages were at 26 and a half minutes, whereas Bournemouth were down at 18.24.

It seems Arsenal’s time-wasting tactics are so ingrained in them that they cannot shake them off even when they are chasing a game, after twice going behind against Bournemouth.

Relegation picture darkens for Leeds

Following West Ham’s win over Wolves on Friday, Leeds are now just one point ahead of the Hammers, who are now outside the relegation zone by two points.

Tottenham are now 18th but can draw level with Leeds if they beat Sunderland on Sunday, while Nottingham Forest – who are level with West Ham – entertain Aston Villa.

Leeds are being predicted to lose at rivals Man Utd on Monday, particularly as they haven’t beaten their old adversaries at Old Trafford in the league since 1981.

Due to injuries to Joe Rodon and Anton Stach, Farke will have to make changes for their clash with the Red Devils.

After Monday’s match, the table may look a lot more depressing for Leeds fans, but games to come against Wolves and Burnley at home could be enough to keep them up.