Craig Scott

Tue 26 October 2021 21:55, UK

Leeds United saw their Carabao Cup run come to abrupt end at the hands of Arsenal as mistakes cost the Yorkshire club at the Emirates on Tuesday night.

Second-half goals by Calum Chambers and ex-Leeds loanee Eddie Nketiah secured a 2-0 win for Mikel Arteta’s side, who will be in the hat for the Carabao Cup quarter-finals draw on Wednesday.

Leeds had numerous opportunities to take the lead in the first half but ultimately, mistakes by Illan Meslier and Liam Cooper handed victory on a plate for the Gunners.

Here, MOT Leeds News rates the players out of 10 for their performances in North London.

Illan Meslier – 5

He was solid in the first half but Meslier’s positioning for Chambers’ goal was awful. There was simply no need for the French goalkeeper to be stood that far behind his own goal line. It’s not the first time he’s done that either.

Cody Drameh – 8 (Leeds MOTM)

Drameh is only 19-years-old and was handed his senior Leeds debut in a very tough match away at Arsenal. However, the young right-back stepped up to the challenge and played really well throughout the night.

Diego Llorente – 8

We can only assume he was substituted off because Bielsa didn’t want to risk Llorente getting injured again. He was superb away at Arsenal, both in and out of possession. Llorente almost assisted a goal for Daniel James in the first half with a stunning long-range pass and made things hard for Arsenal’s attackers until he was taken off.

Pascal Struijk – 7

There’s definitely a case for Struijk and Llorente to be Bielsa’s first-choice pairing at centre-back. Struijk played well despite suffering defeat to Arsenal. He made a couple of good interventions and was calm in possession.

Stuart Dallas – 5

It wasn’t a great night for Dallas. He doesn’t look anywhere near the player we saw last season and may be in need of a rest. Junior Firpo needs to return to left-back as soon as possible with Dallas now more comfortable in the midfield.

Kalvin Phillips – 5

Phillips clearly wasn’t 100 per cent fit for this game and it was maybe a risk for Bielsa to play him for the whole 90 minutes. However, he should be in the side against Norwich on Sunday and that is ultimately more important.

Adam Forshaw – 6

More minutes under Forshaw’s belt as the midfielder continues to return to full match fitness after his injury hell. Bielsa substituted him off at half-time but it was a good first half by Forshaw.

Daniel James – 5

James could have put us ahead in the first half but a poor touch from Llorente’s goal allowed Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno to smother his attempt. James simply wasn’t at it again.

Tyler Roberts – 4

Poor, again. Roberts is struggling badly and we really cannot see him having much of a future at Elland Road if he doesn’t pick his form up soon. Roberts picked up a cheap booking in the first half and was replaced by Joe Gelhardt before an hour had been played.

Jack Harrison – 5

Harrison was another let-down at the Emirates with the former Manchester City winger not having anywhere near enough impact in the attack. Leeds’ attack is woeful without Raphinha and Patrick Bamford.

Rodrigo – 6

It wasn’t a horror show by any means from Rodrigo, who got himself into good areas in the first half. He faded after the break but most of his teammates did too.

Substitutes:

Mateusz Klich (on for Forshaw ’46) – 5

We looked a lot better with Forshaw on the pitch.

Joe Gelhardt (on for Roberts ’53) – 5

Hardly any impact.

Liam Cooper (on for Llorente 59′) – 4

At fault for Nketiah’s goal with a woeful header back towards Meslier that fell well short of the goalkeeper.

Sam Greenwood (on for Rodrigo 70′) – N/A

Crysensio Summerville (on for James 70′) – N/A

In other Leeds United news, this big-name player faces being axed by Bielsa as his awful season continues.