Marcelo Bielsa has admitted Leeds United must look at why they struggled to move the ball into dangerous areas after falling behind at Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, via Leeds Live.
The Whites lost 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night to end their run in the EFL Cup. The Elland Road outfit were chasing their first quarter-final appearance since 2016/17 with a win. Having already enjoyed their best run in the competition since Bielsa’s arrival.
Leeds had exited the Carabao Cup in each of Bielsa’s previous three complete seasons in charge at the second-round. But mistakes proved costly in north London, as Calum Chambers and Eddie Nketiah seized chances to score past Illan Meslier.
Bielsa believes Leeds suffered from the same sort of problems during the first-half as they did as Chambers scored. The Arsenal centre-back fired home seconds after coming off the bench after heading in at the back post. Staying alert as Nicolas Pepe flicked the ball back into the danger area, while Jack Harrison was slow to react.
Bielsa seeking answers to Leeds struggles
Arsenal’s opener took the pressure off Arteta’s side to attack, but Bielsa notes it also saw Leeds struggle to create. The Whites also hindered their chances with Nketiah intercepting Liam Cooper’s back pass to net. But Bielsa accepts it is impossible to remove all mistakes.
“In the first-half, we suffered similar occasions to the one where they scored the first goal,” Bielsa said. “It’s within what’s admissible to receive a goal in that manner and in the second goal, there isn’t a game where it’s conceivable there are no errors.
“So it’s what happens within a game. What we do need to look at, which is what was left in evidence when we went behind, is taking the ball to the opponent’s half to create danger, [which] was difficult for us.”
Leeds took more shots (8) than Arsenal (7) before Chambers scored the opener during their Carabao Cup tie, per WhoScored. The Whites also hit more on target (3) than their hosts (1) while both sides blocked three attempts.
Bielsa’s men only produced two shots on target from six attempts after falling behind, however. While Arsenal – despite pushing forward less – hit three on target from seven. With Arteta’s side also blocking three attempts, as they kept the Whites at bay.
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