Daniel Farke heartbroken as Leeds United suffer Arsenal defeat despite ‘good away performance’

James Justin put Leeds ahead in the second half, but Riccardo Calafiori equalised just minutes later before substitute Bruno Guimarães completed the turnaround with a superb winning goal.

Despite leaving North London empty-handed, Farke was proud of his side’s efforts, believing their first-half display had given them a genuine opportunity to take something from the game.

“It's difficult to describe the emotions. Congratulations to Arsenal. It's down to their mentality. Heartbroken and gutted for my players,” the Leeds head coach said.

“Good away performance with no points is tough. Very proud. First half good level, did not allow any chances. We looked more dangerous.”

However, Farke acknowledged that Leeds could have defended Arsenal’s equaliser better, admitting his side had been caught out by the movement in the build-up.

“Out of very little, they found the equaliser. Can't complain too much with our behaviour. Perhaps we were over-shifted too much and did not spot the run quick enough,” he explained.

“On a good day, James puts it over the bar, maybe.”

With Leeds looking to regain control, Farke switched to a 4-4-2 formation and introduced more attacking players in an attempt to find a second goal.

The change was designed to increase the pressure on Arsenal, but ultimately failed to prevent the hosts from claiming victory.

“We tried to change it to a 4-4-2 with more offensive players on the pitch. Wanted to take more risks,” Farke said.

“It has helped in past games, but not today, sadly.”

Despite the result, the German insisted his players could take confidence from their performance, while recognising the importance of turning encouraging displays into points.

“Confidence in the performance taken forward from this. One day on the training pitch to prepare. Have to earn the right to build momentum in the next games,” he added.

“Lots of positives to take, but lots of work to do.”

Farke also expressed frustration with the officiating, questioning the consistency of the yellow cards shown to Leeds players during the match.

The Leeds boss explained that he had asked the fourth official why Arsenal players were not being booked for fouls on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

He was reportedly told that the incidents had taken place deep inside Leeds’ half.

Farke was then left frustrated when Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu received yellow cards for incidents in Arsenal’s half.

After approaching officials for an explanation, the Leeds manager was also cautioned.

“All three yellows not deserved,” he said.

“There was no consistency in these decisions and when you ask them for explanations, they don't have one, they are just annoyed and they give even the manager a yellow card sometimes.”

The defeat leaves Leeds with plenty to reflect on, but Farke will hope his players can carry the positives from their performance into their next fixture.

Ultimately, Arsenal’s quality in the decisive moments proved the difference, leaving the Whites to rue an afternoon in which their efforts were not rewarded with points.