This archive report was first published on 7 January 2020.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faced a daunting task when his side took on Marcelo Bielsa's high-pressing Leeds United in their FA Cup third round match on January 6, 2020.
Leeds controlled the ball for almost two-thirds of the first half, firing in 15 shots to Arsenal's three, but failed to score as the home side's stand-in goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and the crossbar kept the ball out.
Arteta described the experience of playing against Leeds as 'a nightmare for every team. To play against them is painful like going to the dentist - it's tough. They are a great team and what they've built is powerful.'
He added that if Arsenal were not ready for Leeds, they would get exposed, and that his team had to react to the challenge by being more aggressive and positive in their play.
Arteta's approach seemed to work as Arsenal improved in the second half, eventually winning the match 1-0 thanks to a Reiss Nelson strike 10 minutes after the break.
