MOT View: Senior ace should feel pressure – Three things learned about Leeds in loss v Arsenal
Reiss Nelson’s scrambled second-half goal was enough to knock Leeds United out of the FA Cup on Monday night as Arsenal won 1-0 against the Championship leaders at the Emirates.
Although Marcelo Bielsa’s side travelled back up north after tasting just their second defeat in 16 matches, there was plenty of good to be said about the Yorkshire giants, who held their own against the Premier League club.
Arsenal have been poor this season but it was still a tough fixture for the Whites and, in the first half especially, they put up more than a good fight and could have actually gone on to win the game if they were a bit more tenacious in front of goal.
Here, MOT Leeds News has rounded up three things learned about Leeds in their latest defeat in the capital:
- Bielsa ball will work in Premier League
It is going to take some fine-tuning to get his tactics ready to take on the best that the Premier League has to offer but the way that Leeds turned Arsenal inside out in the first half on Monday night shows that Bielsaball can be effective in the top-flight. Of course, Leeds need to win promotion first, but if they do, they should be able to hold their own in the Premier League without having to tweak too much. If they had a bit more of a cutting edge at Arsenal, they would have more than likely won that game. And that brings us to the next point…
2. New striker is an absolute must
Patrick Bamford is the only out-and-out striker in the Leeds senior squad at the moment after Eddie Nketiah was recalled by Arsenal. It is going to be tough for Leeds to bring in someone on loan due to the little game-time that Nketiah earned at Elland Road. So would it not make more sense to go out and buy a good young centre-forward who could maybe cut it in the Premier League next season? It would take a fair bit of investment and Andrea Radrizzani might not be willing to push the boat out. But it makes a lot more sense that loaning someone who is sub-par or buying a striker that is no better than Championship quality.
3. Casilla should feel under pressure from Meslier
Although Bielsa is keen to keep his starting line-up consistent, Kiko Casilla should see Illan Meslier’s display at the Emirates as one to keep him on his toes. Casilla’s not been terrible as of late but the Spanish goalkeeper – as we all know very well – is prone to an absolute shocker every now and then. Meslier made his debut at Arsenal on Monday night and was fantastic. Fans on Twitter were delighted with the on-loan goalkeeper and according to stats by WhoScored, he was forced into making four saves at the Emirates. Meslier’s performance was very encouraging and if 33-year-old Casilla has to be dropped or gets injured or suspended, at least Leeds have someone they can rely on in reserve.
In other Leeds United news, Jermaine Beckford has pointed out what was at an “all-time low” by Leeds on Monday night.