Micah Richards speaking on The Rest is Football

Micah RichardsThe Rest is Football

Micah Richards names Leeds United player he loves after what he saw vs Arsenal

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Published on:

12 Oct 2026, 6:40 pm

Micah Richards is not short of options when it comes to naming Leeds United's top performers.

Daniel Farke's side have made an impressive start to the Premier League season, only tasting defeat for the first time at the weekend.

After winning two and drawing three of their first five games, the Whites put up a strong effort in losing 2-1 to Arsenal.

Leeds took the lead against the Premier League champions, but Arsenal's quality told in the end.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin earned plenty of praise against Arsenal, but many others also turned up in a game Leeds arguably deserved more from.

Richards also liked what he saw from Calvert-Lewin, but there is another Leeds player he is particularly fond of.

Micah Richards shares what he loves about Anton Stach

Anton Stach is another who impressed against Arsenal and has impressed all season long.

So much so that he is back involved with the Germany senior side under Jurgen Klopp.

Asked about Leeds' performance against Arsenal, and their season overall, Richards waxed lyrical on Monday's The Rest is Football.

"Ao Tanaka was brilliant. I know we talked about him in the Championship - and no, I know I didn't discover him - so I'm not saying anything you don't know," Richards began.

"Ethan Ampadu is excellent. And I love Stach - his energy; he's everywhere. Noah Okafor plays in the number 10 but drifts to the left and then goes forward.

"Calvert-Lewin holds it up so well. His hold-up play is underrated. I also love the relationship between Jayden Bogle and James Justin down the left-hand side.

"Sometimes one will go and one will stay, and vice-versa. Tarik Muharemovic has been class; really, really good.

"Farke's got the balance absolutely right between the running power, confidence in the players and the way they take the game to anyone they play.

"They don't deviate away from what they want to do which makes them such a good watch."

Richards clearly likes what he has seen from Leeds - a team close to his heart - with Stach indeed deserving of praise.

Arsenal vs Leeds stat attack: Anton Stach an aerial colossus, teammate's distribution now an issue

The area where Stach dominated vs Arsenal

Stach would not have looked out of place in Arsenal's midfield on Saturday afternoon.

The 27-year-old won three tackles, which was the most of any Leeds player and joint-most of any player on the field.

Stach also completed 28 out of 32 passes (88 per cent) and won eight duels, which was level with Calvert-Lewin for the most.

He also registered an expected goals (xG) value of 0.09, which is not exactly high but only Bogle (0.11) and goalscorer Justin (0.19) could better among the visiting players.

Farke will now be after more of the same from each of those players namechecked by Richards in next weekend's clash with Manchester United.

Manchester United Football Club