Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips and Marcelo Bielsa have shown contrasting opinions after their match with Arsenal yesterday.
Leeds drew 0-0 with Arsenal despite having a numerical advantage for much of the second half.
After Nicolas Pepe was sent off for Arsenal, Leeds’ play seemed to become more rushed, as they appeared to try and force a goal.
And Philips felt that things actually got tougher when Arsenal were reduced in numbers.
“Personally I think it is a lot harder to play against 10 men because they sit back,” Phillips said to BBC Sport.
“It was tougher getting on the ball but we still created chances.
“There is always frustration when you get so many chances. It’s not happened for us tonight but we keep on fighting and defending well.”
Bielsa, though, was not in agreement with his midfielder.
He said to Leeds Live: “It is not more difficult, it is easier (to play against 10 men).”
In truth Leeds dominated the game when Arsenal had numerical parity and when they were reduced in numbers, but they were just unable to find the back of the net.
A combination of strong Gunners defending and some woeful finishing ultimately cost Leeds two points.
The Whites are now in 14th place in the Premier League table, after taking 11 points from their first nine games back in the top flight.
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