Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta is one of a select few Premier League coaches with first-hand experience of what to expect from Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United.
The Gunners made it through the first hurdle in the third round of the FA Cup at home to Leeds back in January, just Arteta’s fourth match in charge of the club, a vital early win on the way to eventually lifting the trophy.
However, they were certainly made to work for their progression, as the second-tier side came to North London and took control of the game in the first half, especially.
“Did you see when Leeds came and played us in the FA Cup?” Ian Wright recently reminisced on his podcast . “They gave us a chasing bro. Oh my God, it was a joy to watch what they did to my team!”
At the midway point, the visitors registered 63% possession, Leeds, had 15 attempts at goal to Arsenal’s three (five on target to one), outpassing Arteta’s side 289 to 174.
Arsenal got more of a grip after a stern talking to from the newly-appointed fledgeling coach at half-time and went on to win 1-0, and Arteta will be hoping that 45 minutes is enough to help them avoid a similar experience in the rematch at Elland Road on Sunday.
Arteta, described playing Leeds as like going to the dentist, was full of praise after the match: “I tried to convince them before the game what to expect of that team. They battered every team in the Championship every three days.
“The way they play makes it really difficult and uncomfortable. Everything is man to man around the pitch, so it becomes a transition game.
“Everything is duels, everything is 50-50. If you’re not ready for that game, you get exposed and you get done.”
Arsenal would be fortunate to escape another half like that on their visit to Elland Road without going behind, with Leeds registering 1.2xG (expected goals) in the first half of the FA Cup clash.
Failing to take their chances was a frequent failing of Leeds last season, who dramatically underperformed their xG numbers in the championship, with Patrick Bamford particularly culpable. The 27-year-old striker scored just 16 goals from a massive 25.1xg ( per Opta ) - an almost unprecedented underperformance in terms of his finishing.
However, that area that they were so weak last season has become one of their major strengths. In the Premier League so far this season, Leeds have overperformed their underlying chance creation numbers, scoring 14 goals from 12.5xG, with Bamford’s individual form key to that, with seven goals from 5.0xG (via FBref.com).
With a new-found clinical edge, Arsenal can’t afford to allow Leeds chances. Bamford has been one of the stories of the season so far, written off by many, but now only one goal off the top of the Premier League top scorers chart - and he’d be level were it not for the most marginal of VAR offside calls to deny him in their last outing at Selhurst Park.
But they’re far from a one-man team, with Bielsa’s focus on intensity and fitness and the collective endeavour key to their success. Arteta was correct to identify their aggression off the ball, as one of the most hard-pressing sides in the division, from front-to-back.
Leeds have won the most tackles in the Premier League with 129-28 more than next-most Southampton, and topping the list of the most won in the defensive third (100), the attacking third (26), while they’re only second behind Southampton in the middle third (66) (via Stats Bomb ).
Playing in that style saw them come away from Liverpool on the opening weekend with a narrow 4-3 defeat, coming minutes away from taking a point - a feat only Burnley managed last season. It also saw them draw 1-1 in a breathless contest at home to Manchester City.
That will be the same inspiration for how Bielsa’s side approach Sunday’s test, looking to impose themselves as ever.
In every match this season they’ve registered at least 50% possession. Only City and Liverpool have averaged more overall, while only Liverpool have registered more passes into the penalty area.
During Bielsa’s time in charge, Leeds have often played their best football when teams look to go toe-to-toe and play them at their own game.
It will be fascinating to see if Arteta shows them the respect to cede possession and territory and going with a low block - which has worked wonders for Leicester and Crystal Palace in recent weeks.
The two sides beat Leeds 4-1, with Leicester registering just 32.5% possession and Palace registering 35.2% on home soil, completing fewer than half as many passes on the day at Selhurst Park.
“They want to really attack the game. They play with wingers who stretch the pitch. They’ve got great mobility and rotation,” explained Brendan Rodgers after the Foxes’ big win at Elland Road.
“Of course, ideally, against them, they want a basketball game where it’s up and down the pitch.
“So, you have to ensure you don’t get involved in that. You’ll be able to play if you have that confidence you can play, but you’ve also got to be able to deny them the space they want.”
During those two defeats, Leeds often struggled in terms of the defensive transition as the opposition launched counter-attacks. It remains to be seen whether key midfield lynchpin Kalvin Phillips is fit enough to return, but he would help in that regard.
With the man-to-man system, if key Arsenal attackers such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Nicolas Pepe can win their individual duels or win the ball high up the pitch, this can cause serious issues in Leeds’ unorthodox defensive approach and see large gaps appear.
One more important thing to keep in mind is the state of the game. Going ahead suits Leeds’ style, with the opposition forced to come out, while if they’re behind, the opposition has a license to sit behind the ball and protect their lead.
During Bielsa’s time in charge, Leeds have gone ahead on 58 occasions, going on to win 52 of those, losing just twice. Of 49 occasions they’ve gone behind, Leeds have come back to win just seven times, losing 28.
The first goal could be key on Sunday.
