The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 12th October) - Substitutes seal late Emirates win for Gunners

Ellandback1 · Post by **Ellandback1** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 6:44 am

Good Morning. It's Monday 12th October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...

Substitutes seal late Emirates win for Gunners

Leeds United’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season came to an end at the Emirates on Saturday lunchtime, as Arsenal came from behind to break the hearts of the travelling Whites supporters. For the first hour, Leeds were arguably the better side, controlling large parts of the game against the reigning champions on their own turf, an impressive achievement that highlighted how far Daniel Farke’s team has come. James Justin put them ahead in the 55th minute with a well-taken finish from Gabriel Gudmundsson’s cross, and for a while it looked as though the visitors might pull off a notable result.

It echoed what happened in the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge last month. There, Leeds led 2-0 shortly after half-time before Chelsea’s raft of quality substitutes (including Cole Palmer) sparked a chaotic 6-3 turnaround. On Saturday, Arsenal equalised through Riccardo Calafiori in the 62nd minute after Mikel Arteta had begun refreshing his options. Eight minutes later, substitute Bruno Guimarães, introduced as part of a triple change around the hour mark alongside Jurrien Timber and Viktor Gyökeres – rifled home the winner after a slick move involving Declan Rice.

It’s obvious that the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal possess bench options Leeds can only dream of, but many supporters and observers have criticised Farke for not reacting to Arsenal’s substitutions until far too late. Leeds were a different side after Calafiori’s equaliser, yet Farke did not make his first changes (bringing on Brenden Aaronson and Harry Wilson) until around the 71st minute, after the Gunners had already taken the lead. Further alterations followed later, but by then the momentum had fully shifted.

Leeds have enjoyed an exceptional start to the campaign and were excellent for long periods at the Emirates. Farke himself described himself as “heartbroken” for his players while expressing pride in the away performance against one of Europe’s top sides. However, that early-season credit will count for little unless they bounce back strongly. Attention now turns to Saturday’s home clash with Manchester United at Elland Road, followed by a trip to Sunderland the week after.

A narrow defeat to the champions after leading and dominating for an hour is no disaster, but the pattern of being outgunned from the bench is one Farke will need to address as the season progresses.

Neville worries about MUFC form ahead of Leeds game

Former Manchester United title-winning defender Gary Neville has admitted he is worried about the form and confidence of his old side ahead of their trip to Leeds United next weekend. Michael Carrick’s team were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening, with Dominic Solanke scoring a stoppage-time equaliser for the visitors despite them being reduced to 10 men. The result leaves the Red Devils with just one win and six points from their opening six Premier League games, their worst start to a league season for 40 years, and raises fresh questions about Carrick’s position.

The under-pressure side now head to Atlético Madrid on Tuesday night for a Champions League clash against a team flying high in La Liga after an impressive start. A defeat there would only intensify the scrutiny on Carrick and his players before they travel to Elland Road on Sunday for the first league meeting of the season between the rivals. Speaking on his Gary Neville Podcast, Neville questioned the character and resilience of the current United squad as they prepare for a demanding winter period;

It’s a real concern going into the winter slog. You are going into the winter slog where you are playing a game every three days. The Champions League is going to hit you hard; you have got tough matches, and you are going to Elland Road next Sunday. These games are going to need real personality and character and a group of players who are resilient. At the moment, you do worry about them going into that run of matches, thinking, how are they going to tackle and come out of it?

Leeds and Manchester United renew their rivalry at Elland Road on Sunday, 18 October. Here is how the sides have fared in recent competitive meetings:

13 April 2026: Manchester United 1-2 Leeds United (Premier League, Old Trafford)
4 January 2026: Leeds United 1-1 Manchester United (Premier League, Elland Road)
12 February 2023: Leeds United 0-2 Manchester United (Premier League)
8 February 2023: Manchester United 2-2 Leeds United (Premier League)
20 February 2022: Leeds United 2-4 Manchester United (Premier League)
14 August 2021: Manchester United 5-1 Leeds United (Premier League)

Historically, Manchester United hold a clear advantage in the fixture, but the two most recent Premier League encounters have been tightly contested, with Leeds claiming a notable away victory at Old Trafford last season. A pre-season friendly in Dublin in August 2026 also finished 1-1. With the red side of Manchester struggling for consistency and Leeds having shown real resilience in their opening fixtures, Sunday’s clash at a packed Elland Road looks set to be a significant test of character for Carrick’s side.

Arsenal, James Justin, Manchester United

wilsdenwhite · Post by **wilsdenwhite** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 7:34 am

No shame in that defeat to Arsenal. Doing very well for a large part of the game showed just how far we have come from the trip there last year. Don't blame Farke one bit for anything and he won't get any criticism from me for waiting to make any changes because I feel we are in a position where the majority of our substitutes will be largely ineffective against teams of Arsenal's calibre. We are starting our strongest side at the moment, minus Rodon. Expecting the likes of Aaronson, James, an out of sorts Wilson and a wet behind the ears Bahoya to somehow change the game will continue to be ineffective against the better sides, especially when we are behind in a game.

We move on and really looking forward to Sunday. The lads will be well up for this against that lot and I can hear the "sacked in the morning" chants against Carrick already.

Jammy 07 · Post by **Jammy 07** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 8:47 am

As game last 90 mins plus added time for stoppages I'm finding it difficult to make the argument that we deserved anything out of Saturday's match. Possibly a point at best and yes we did play well. However the issue of not being able to make a difference with fresh legs from the bench will now likely become a recurring theme for the season.

All that said if Trafford had saved the 1st goal we conceded then we might have come away with something. Not a goalkeeping error but one he'll personally feel he could have kept out and we shot ourselves in the foot with the marking on both goals which wasn't anything to do with the subs.

So encouraging in parts but also quite glaring weaknesses as well.

Carrick Dave · Post by **Carrick Dave** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 8:52 am

Strength off the bench is an issue at this moment in time.

Any danger the club might look to address this in January? Unlikely I know.

Chilli D · Post by **Chilli D** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 9:09 am

Arsenal's equaliser came too soon after we scored. Had we gone another 10-15 minutes without conceding I think Daniel's substitutions might have been different. Likely we would have seen Bijol and Gruev or Longstaff on first.
Once they equalised they totally dominated and we could have ended up losing by more.
All in all there were plenty of positives to take from the game.

The Subhuman · Post by **The Subhuman** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 10:13 am

Not sure there's much to say today so

Happy birthday Leeds ledg Brian Flynn - 71 today. One of my all time favourites

The Subhuman · Post by **The Subhuman** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 10:34 am

We're one point better off this season over last season atm

ruttermania · Post by **ruttermania** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 10:50 am

For the equivalent games against the same teams however we are 4 points better off and the goal difference is 8 better .That is a truer reflection of the improvement in squad level and anybody who watched the two games away at Arsenal will have to admit that the development of this team over the last 12 months or so is very positive .It took Arteta 4 years and a billion pounds to get his squad to the stage where they could rescue that game and scape a one goal victory over a team that they walloped off the pitch a little over 12 months ago .

The Subhuman · Post by **The Subhuman** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 11:52 am

ruttermania wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 10:50 am For the equivalent games against the same teams however we are 4 points better off and the goal difference is 8 better .That is a truer reflection of the improvement in squad level and anybody who watched the two games away at Arsenal will have to admit that the development of this team over the last 12 months or so is very positive .It took Arteta 4 years and a billion pounds to get his squad to the stage where they could rescue that game and scape a one goal victory over a team that they walloped off the pitch a little over 12 months ago .

Well not really as form changes season to season unless your saying everyone will finish where they did last season. Arsenal don't look as good as they did last season yet to start with.

GreennWhite · Post by **GreennWhite** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 12:03 pm

ruttermania wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 10:50 am For the equivalent games against the same teams however we are 4 points better off and the goal difference is 8 better .That is a truer reflection of the improvement in squad level and anybody who watched the two games away at Arsenal will have to admit that the development of this team over the last 12 months or so is very positive .It took Arteta 4 years and a billion pounds to get his squad to the stage where they could rescue that game and scape a one goal victory over a team that they walloped off the pitch a little over 12 months ago .

Very good post, hope some of the usual fans who continue to moan every match day at every mistake we make will read this and take note. But somehow i doubt it

Bon · Post by **Bon** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 1:58 pm

I thought we were extremely unlucky and.well deserved a point, it took.arse to almost.empty their costly bench and.some.awful bookings to curtail us, better finishing including luck like they had in.front of goals we'd have won at a canter.
Sure they have classier.players but we have the graft and refs who hate us.
The bench against the big clubs shows on a.regular basis, I would have brought on longstaff and gruev and would've reacted qui ker, not knocking Danny boy as hes transformed this club and like any human will make.mistakes

Bon · Post by **Bon** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 1:58 pm

I thought we were extremely unlucky and.well deserved a point, it took.arse to almost.empty their costly bench and.some.awful bookings to curtail us, better finishing including luck like they had in.front of goals we'd have won at a canter.
Sure they have classier.players but we have the graft and refs who hate us.
The bench against the big clubs shows on a.regular basis, I would have brought on longstaff and gruev and would've reacted qui ker, not knocking Danny boy as hes transformed this club and like any human will make.mistakes

ruttermania · Post by **ruttermania** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 1:59 pm

I have been fairly consistent in my view that this is going to be a very difficult season to predict even without the whole Citeh shitshow. However I think both Brighton and Brentford are pretty good bets to finish higher than last season , Forest and Newcastle are likely to finish somewhere in or about where they ended last season and Palace now that they have seemed to find a bit of form and depending on how they cope with Europe will probably improve on their showing . Given the difficulties of retaining titles and some of the limitations of their type of football Arsenal may be the ones who won't match or better . However given that last season we weren't able to lay a glove on them Saturday was such a marked improvement that once you remove the blinkers you would have to acknowledge the vast improvement.

Post by **1964white** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 2:57 pm

Bon wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 1:58 pm I thought we were extremely unlucky and.well deserved a point, it took.arse to almost.empty their costly bench and.some.awful bookings to curtail us, better finishing including luck like they had in.front of goals we'd have won at a canter.
Sure they have classier.players but we have the graft and refs who hate us.
The bench against the big clubs shows on a.regular basis, I would have brought on longstaff and gruev and would've reacted qui ker, not knocking Danny boy as hes transformed this club and like any human will make.mistakes

I agree with Longstaff & Gruev coming on.

DDB220 · Post by **DDB220** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 4:13 pm

1964white wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 2:57 pm I agree with Longstaff & Gruev coming on.

Gruev has played four internationals against mediocre opposition since returning from injury. They got walloped by Iceland 3-0 and he was hooked after 54 mins.

He is nowhere near ready to play in the prem IMO.

It was a pity Tanaka picked up a booking, Farke would have probably kept him on.

Post by **1964white** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 4:19 pm

DDB220 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 4:13 pm Gruev has played four internationals against mediocre opposition since returning from injury. They got walloped by Iceland 3-0 and he was hooked after 54 mins.

He is nowhere near ready to play in the prem IMO.

It was a pity Tanaka picked up a booking, Farke would have probably kept him on.

Indeed, Tanaka, Ampadu, Muharemovic & Justin yellow carded, all like a tackle & physical side of the game were probably hindered & tentative about making a challenge with their bookings in mind.

The Subhuman · Post by **The Subhuman** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 5:07 pm

You probably need t orisk Tanaka on a yellow. Tarik was on a yellow, Amps was on a yellow but stayed on... Don't think the yellow had anything to do with Tanaka's removal

Bon · Post by **Bon** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 5:48 pm

Nothing regards another inept referee I noticed, absolutely nothing.
When will the PL get to grips !!
4 players on yellows certainly hindered our tactical side of things 3 of them midfielders allowing arse to fall when they wanted to.
No mention of the elbow to stachs face.