Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal Vs Leeds United: 5 things we learned – Mikel Arteta turns tide

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 06: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal (L) applauds the fans following his side's victory during the FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal FC and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on January 06, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 06: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal (L) applauds the fans following his side's victory during the FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal FC and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on January 06, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 06: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal (L) argues with Rob Holding of Arsenal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal FC and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on January 06, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 06: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal (L) argues with Rob Holding of Arsenal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal FC and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on January 06, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

4. Beating the press

Leeds United conducted a superb, largely man-orientated high press. It suffocated Arsenal throughout the first half, causing turnovers in advanced areas of the pitch, forcing errant passes that prevented the Gunners from progressing the play, and allowing them to dictate and control the match.

By half-time, they had 64% possession, 15 shots, which is more than 13 of 21 Premier League games this season, and forced Arsenal into pass accuracy rate of just 71%, which, if you’re not sure, is not very good. There were plenty of reasons for Leeds’ dominance, but it largely stemmed from the home side’s inability to play out from the back.

Full-backs Sokratis and Sead Kolasinac struggle to receive possession under pressure, Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi hid in the midfield, offering no passing options for either of the centre-halves, while Mesut Ozil could hardly get into the game — he had six touches in the first 30 minutes, the fewest of anyone on the pitch. Arsenal must be able to play out from the back, and on this evidence, they cannot.