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George Bennett

Leeds United boss Javi Gracia criticised for 'strange' Patrick Bamford decision in Arsenal defeat

Pat Nevin has questioned Javi Gracia's 'strange' decision not to introduce Patrick Bamford earlier during Leeds United's 4-1 defeat at Arsenal.

Gracia started with Brenden Aaronson as a false nine and left both Rodrigo and Bamford on the bench. Rodrigo came on in the 65th minute, while Bamford only replaced Jack Harrison five minutes from time.

And former Chelsea and Everton star Nevin has criticised Gracia's substitutions at the Emirates Stadium.

READ MORE: Javi Gracia's Leeds United clues for Nottingham Forest visit overwhelmed Arsenal debrief

Nevin told BBC Sport: “Kristensen’s watched him all day and the one time he doesn’t, he scores!

“That is well and truly game over and just as Leeds started to get a bit excited and their fans were lifted.

“There’s been some strange substitutions in this game from Leeds and only just bringing Bamford on now, is one of them.”

Gabriel Jesus scored twice for the Gunners, and Ben White also netted against his former club. Rasmus Kristensen pulled one back, only for Granit Xhaka to restore Arsenal's three goal advantage in the final 10 minutes.

Leeds dropped to within one-point of the bottom three, with Everton, West Ham and Southampton still to play over the weekend.

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