Ian Wright slams Leeds United ace Raphinha, says head was not in it v Arsenal
Ian Wright has insisted that Leeds United star Raphinha’s head isn’t in the game after his lacklustre defending against Arsenal on Sunday [May 8].
The Whites’ loss at the Emirates serves as a huge relegation blow with them now sitting 18th in the table – level on points with Burnley.
Illan Meslier gifting the Gunners a goal and Luke Ayling being sent off contributed to an underwhelming performance from March’s men, one that could have been avoided according to Wright.
He told Match of the Day 2: “I think that Leeds played into their hands a bit.
“I thought with the pace of Daniel James and Raphinha, they might have turned Arsenal more like we saw at the end of the game.
“It wasn’t meant to be and they played into Arsenal’s hands.
“This [the first goal] could have easily been avoided.
“They [Arsenal] had a lot of joy down the this [left] side – Raphinha wasn’t giving Ayling too much help and Martinelli just had a field day.
When taking a closer look at Raphinha’s defensive positioning, he added: “It’s like his head is not in the game.”
Pressure.
Leeds really didn’t help themselves yesterday at all.
With Burnley losing against Aston Villa, it was the perfect weekend for Jesse Marsch’s side to put in a season-defining performance and put themselves three points clear of the relegation zone but they completely wasted their opportunity.
The Clarets would have been watching that game in disbelief with how bad the Whites were in the first half.
They are down at the bottom for a reason but in the first half yesterday they looked like a team who had already been relegated rather than one fighting for survival.
It was all too casual from every single player in white and Meslier’s howler in the first five minutes is the perfect example.
The pressure is now bigger than ever for the next game and there is no respite at all for Leeds with European champions Chelsea visiting Elland Road.
However, their season is virtually over and Everton did beat them at home not so long ago which will give the Whites a major confidence boost.
In other Leeds United news, Jesse Marsch says that Leeds are “screwed” if they do one thing after their 2-1 loss against Arsenal.