Micah Richards has heaped praise on Leeds United after they did everything but score against Arsenal on Sunday.
Leeds had 66% possession, 25 shots, four of which were on target, and struck the woodwork three times, but could not find a way past Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno in the 0-0 draw.
Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe was sent off in the 51st minute for a headbutt on Ezgjan Alioski and although Marcelo Bielsa’s side pushed for a winner, they could not register a fourth Premier League win of the season.
Given how they dominated the game, Leeds were understandably disappointed not to get three points, but former Manchester City defender Richards was impressed with what he saw at Elland Road.
“They couldn’t put it in the back of the net but they were fantastic,” he said on the BBC’s Match of the Day 2. “They were an absolute joy to watch. Look at where Raphinha picked up the ball.
“Bielsa has his way of playing and he sticks to it. The players buy into to it and when they were in the Championship we were asking if they can do it in the Premier League and they can.
“They did everything they possibly could today without scoring a goal.”
Leeds had stamped their authority on proceedings well before Pepe’s straight red card early in the second half.
Bielsa’s high press allowed the hosts to dominate the ball and but for some strong saves from the outstanding Leno and some luck they would have been ahead at the break.
Their luck did not change in the second half either. Substitute Rodrigo struck the bar with a curling shot from the edge of the area before Patrick Bamford hit the post with a header.
Raphinha, who was making his first Premier League start, then made it a hat-trick of near-misses when he hit the woodwork in injury time.
The result left Leeds 14th in the league table, with 11 points from their opening nine matches, while Arsenal are 11th on 13 points.
