Anthony Onifade

Sun 2 April 2023 21:10, UK

Arsenal continued their winning run of form as they thumped Leeds United by a 4-1 scoreline at the Emirates on Saturday, 1 April.

Goals from Gabriel Jesus [twice], former Leeds defender Ben White and Granit Xhaka succumbed the Whites to their third defeat under Javi Gracia since his appointment, which leaves them just a point above the drop zone.

Rasmus Kristensen scored a late goal which proved to be a consolation as the hosts picked up a comfortable three points.

Leeds had created the better opportunities in the opening half-hour of the contest, with Kristensen, Crysencio Summerville and Jack Harrison all testing home keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

The defeat may have left Gracia’s team hovering a point above the relegation zone with 10 games of the campaign left to play, but the Spaniard will have been encouraged by the performance of some his players, especially after the crucial injury blows to three of his key stars ahead of the game at the Emirates Stadium.

Wilfried Gnonto [ankle] and Max Wober [thigh] both returned from respective international matches for Italy and Austria with injury niggles and could well be set for a spell out while midfield enforcer Tyler Adams looks set to miss the remainder of the campaign with a thigh injury in a position that could well prove crucial to the club’s chances of survival.

With arguably his biggest and most valuable star missing, Gracia will have been relying on his Spanish counterpart Roca to impress and the former Bayern Munich duly delivered on the day despite the sobering defeat.

The Spaniard was given a respectable 6/10 for his performance at the Emirates and his stats on the afternoon proved just how influential he was and will continue to be in Adams’ gaping absence.

Performing as the Whites’ anchor in midfield, regularly dropping in between the centre-backs to dictate the game, Roca successfully completed 31 of his passes at a rate of 80%, also completing five of his seven long balls, registering a single key pass in the process.

Also, he was dogged defensively when he needed to be too, winning an impressive seven of his nine ground duels and recording 2 clearances [via SofaScore].

Certainly, the defeat at the Emirates won’t be the kind of game Leeds United will be judged on as they continue their quest for Premier League safety, but if Roca can continue this kind of influence from the middle of the park in Adams’ absence, Gracia will be allowed the room to build from a solid foundation in their remaining ten pivotal games.

This could be ten of the most important games in Roca’s short career at Elland Road. He’ll be highly motivated to make the most of them. A key and crucial player, especially when Adams isn’t around.

In other Leeds United news, a teenager now looks closer than ever after what he did at Thorp Arch during the international break with Javi Gracia taking note.

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