Go on then…who had their money on 0-0? If you did, do me a favour and send me this week’s lottery numbers will you? 0-0 was the last scoreline I would have predicted at the weekend and though it was disappointing that Leeds didn’t win the game, I have to say I thought it was a good result.
After some poor defensive displays it was so much better by Leeds. The performance showed that a lot of things had been put right from the two 4-1 defeats we’d just had. It was important we kept a clean sheet and we were very unlucky not to win the game. We should have won the game really with the chances and had it not been for the woodwork, we would have done. Maybe a bit more finesse one of those chances and would of them would have gone in.
Arteta is very forward thinking and he knew what sort of game it would be against Leeds. Arsenal aren’t a bad side to play against and a draw wasn’t a bad result a result at all. Kalvin Phillips coming back into the squad was so important – I won’t have been the only one who was a bit worried when it looked like he might have to come off – and it shows how integral he is and the fluidity he brings. Klich and Dallas had a lot of more freedom than when he’s not been in the team.
It was a good game to watch and wasn’t like a 0-0. Being an ex-defender 0-0 is always a good result for me. I cringed when the commentators mentioned the couple of 4-1s I’d played in against Arsenal and then they reminded us how Leeds had also conceded four against Leicester and Palace in the last two games. Leeds had been shipping poor goals, though, and we put that right on Sunday.
Meslier deserves a special mention because he made some important saves. The lad is only 20, but he is a big physical presence and for that age he is a very good player. He will get better. He could be a big one for the future. He’s getting better on the floor. If you’re playing for Bielsa you have to be able to keep the football, and his all-round game is getting better and better by the week.
Saturday will be another big test at Everton, but last weekend’s result will have restored a lot of confidence around the camp, and Leeds will go there in good heart now.