Leon Osman told Match of the Day 2 on BBC One that Pascal Struijk’s was ‘stopping’ Leeds from playing in the first half of their 4-2 defeat at the Emirates on Sunday.
The former Premier League midfielder shared that Kalvin Phillips was a huge miss for Leeds, as they were 4-0 down inside 47 minutes against the previously goal-shy Arsenal team.
Whilst the away team picked up their performance and the speed of their game after the break, it was too late by then as they recorded yet another defeat in London.
Nonetheless, Osman shared how someone like Raphinha was getting ‘frustrated’ with Struijk over the weekend.
“They didn’t know how to operate without him (Phillips),” said Osman. “When they got into good positions, Kalvin Phillips is the one who dictates play. He passes the ball forward and he sits. We call it a quarterback position.
“You see Raphinha getting frustrated that they are moving it and they are playing a backwards pass.
“It’s nothing against Struijk, he is just a centre-back playing in those positions – they weren’t quite sure how to get around that in the first half.
“Struijk, again, operating in that position, Leeds use that position and Dallas realises they weren’t getting on the ball… but then Struijk’s still in a position that is stopping them from playing – it was so negative.”
Along with Patrick Bamford upfront, Phillips is perhaps the first or second name on Leeds United’s teamsheet.
It’s those cross-field balls, ability to see that ball over the top, find that extra five-yard space and attack space that Leeds were missing against the Gunners.
Nonetheless, after conceding four after 47 minutes against Arsenal, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Leeds are dishing out that dirt the other way to Wolves on Friday night.
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