‘I won’t name names’: Leeds defender shares what Arsenal players told him amid controversy

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Liam Cooper has suggested that the Arsenal players suggested to him that Patrick Bamford’s stoppage-time penalty should have stood during Leeds United’s 1-0 defeat at Elland Road on Sunday, as he told Sky Sports.

As a nothing ball was running towards Aaron Ramsdale with the clock ticking down, Bamford proceeded to push Gabriel to the floor, who, as he went to ground, ended up kicking out at the Leeds striker.

That resulted in the on-field referee talking with the linesman, before he issued a red card to the Brazil international and a penalty against Arsenal.

But that’s when the on-field referee, Chris Kavanagh went to the side screen and decided to overturn his penalty and red card call to the anger of the Elland Road crowd.

It was a massive moment in the game because Mikel Arteta’s side, who are sitting top of the Premier League table, went on to claim all three points.

Cooper shared that, whilst Bamford did push Gabriel, the action after that, had nothing to do with the Arsenal defender kicking out at the Englishman.

Hee suggested the opposition agreed, and if that’s the case, then the penalty should have stood.

“He (the referee) said that Gabriel has been pushed before,” said Cooper. “But I still don’t think it affects the kicking out, he knows what he is doing.

“Speaking to their players as well, I won’t name any names, but they thought exactly the same. That’s what it is and it’s tough for us.”

FRANTIC GAME

Leeds are still searching for their first win in the Premier League since August, as they endured another difficult day in Yorkshire.

Last time out, they were down to ten-men against Aston Villa and recorded a hard-fought point.

But, this time around, they created a lot more chances, and whilst Bamford was denied that late penalty, he did miss an earlier effort from the spot-kick.

All in all, in a game that was delayed by 40 minutes because of a power outage, yet Leeds are still trying to find their own spark in the final third.