Leeds United are being cited as an example of a challenging situation that can be done after Arsenal drew 2-2 against Manchester City this past weekend at Etihad Stadium.
After taking a 2-1 lead on the road against Manchester City, Arsenal had to defend for the rest of the contest following Leandro Trossard’s first-half red card. In the second half, the North London-based side opted to protect their lead rather than taking a risk to add another goal.
The Gunners had one total shot in the final 45 minutes and their plan to play a defensive style system nearly worked. However, in the second half stoppage time, Pep Guardiola and his team leveled the scoring 2-2 as the contest ended in a draw.
Leeds set the example of beating City while playing with 10 men
While no pundit will blame Arsenal for their approach, talkSPORT’s Darren Bent did use Leeds as an example of pushing for a goal despite playing with 10 men against a dominant side like Manchester City.
“It shocked me because I thought they’d go for a four, a three and one,” Bent said (h/t MOT Leeds News). “They would have left one kind of floating, he would have got back into position and then when we got the ball he’d be that kind of focal point that you can hit the target, get hold of it and draw fouls that kind of thing.
“But when I looked at the team shape when they came out and it one, five, four, it was evident and so blatant that they had no intention of attacking. It is [the right thing to do] because if Manchester City had committed men forward, Man City could carve you open, but I think that is a defensive display that will give Arsenal confidence going forward.
“I know the counter-argument is, Leeds fans will be able to remind me, I’m pretty sure Leeds went to the Etihad and won and I think Stuart Dallas might have scored the goal. They were down to 10 men, you know what Bielsa ball was like and they went and won it and secured all three points.”
In 2021, when Leeds was in the Premier League, the Whites had a lead against City while playing with 10 men after Liam Cooper received a red card. After the home side leveled the scoring, the visitors pushed for that second goal rather than defend and play for the draw.
Eventually, that goal came in the second-half stoppage time as Stuart Dallas completed his brace in the matchup for the 2-1 win. The situation isn’t ideal but Leeds showed that a win is possible against City.
