Boardroom presence is felt
Leeds United’s board are not always pitchside before matches at Elland Road, so it stands out when both Andrea Radrizzani and Peter Lowy were taking in the sights and sounds before the warm-ups on Sunday. The former ensured he chatted with several of the players as they came past him, including Mateusz Klich and Pascal Struijk.
Gelhardt takes his punishment
Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and Patrick Bamford were warming up together away from the starters ahead of the game. Playing keepy-uppies with one another, whoever dropped the ball first would take several flicks on the ears.
Gelhardt lost and took the savage beating from Greenwood and Bamford.
READ MORE: Every word Jesse Marsch said on Leeds United's Arsenal defeat, Rodrigo, delay, Jack Harrison
The suspension in play
As the match got underway the screens around the press box and the lights in the roof of the John Charles Stand went out for a couple of seconds. Kick-off proceeded as normal, but within 69 seconds it was clear something was wrong.
Referee Chris Kavanagh came over to speak with the fourth official and mess with his earpiece for a few moments before returning to the field. However, it was clear the the problems were not solved and he made the players wait before restarting.
After several minutes he filled in the head coaches before it eventually became clear the power cut had taken out VAR and Hawkeye. Neither were a quick fix and each team had to retreat to the dressing rooms.
Elland Road winces
At virtually the same point in the match as a fortnight ago, Luis Sinisterra could not help himself as Arsenal prepared a free-kick. Ben White had set to take the kick from just inside the away half and the Colombian, three yards away, threw out a leg to block it, just as he did against Aston Villa at the start of the month.
Thankfully, White did not take it as the leg came out, but you could hear everyone tense up and moan at the winger as he went to do the same thing he was sent off for.
Gabriel’s gamesmanship and Adams’s fightback
Throughout the VAR check Chris Kavanagh was making ahead of the first penalty award, Bamford had the ball in his hand. The striker knew which way this was going as soon as the referee was advised to check the monitor.
Bamford wasn’t alone, however. Centre-back Gabriel saw fit to follow Bamford around, get in his ear and try to get in his head before the spot-kick. Tyler Adams saw it too.
The American had been further upfield awaiting the VAR decision near the dugouts, but as soon as attention turned back to the penalty box he could see what was happening. Adams raced more than 40 yards to shove the centre-back away from Bamford, as well as Granit Xhaka, who wanted to scuff up the penalty spot.
READ NEXT:
Mikel Arteta makes Leeds United concession despite Arsenal win at raucous Elland Road
Leeds United player ratings as Rodrigo's error and Patrick Bamford's penalty mar Arsenal display
Leeds United winners and losers as midfield impress but Rodrigo struggles in Arsenal defeat
'Robbery' - Leeds United supporters react to dramatic defeat against Arsenal at Elland Road
Give us your Leeds United player ratings as Whites suffer dramatic 1-0 defeat against Arsenal
