"Heartbroken" - Boss Daniel Farke on Leeds United defeat at Arsenal, performance and players

Boss Daniel Farke said he was heartbroken for his Leeds United players after Saturday’s defeat at Arsenal as he saluted a top away performance but ultimately without any points.

Arsenal began brightly but without really creating any good chances and Leeds had the better chances in a goalless first half, Gunners keeper David Raya producing a particularly good save to keep out a firm drive from Gabi Gudmundsson from an acute angle at the left hand post.

Leeds continued to threaten after the break and it was therefore no real surprise when James Justin fired them ahead with a brilliant finish to a Gabi Gudmundsson cross.

The lead though did not last long, United’s defensive hard work undone as Ricardo Calafiori got himself free to convert after Ben White had nodded a Noni Madueke cross back across goal.

The momentum was changing and Arsenal then bagged what proved the game’s winning goal as a flowing team move was finished off by a thumping finish from substitute Bruno Guimaraes.

"It's a bit difficult to describe the emotions,” said Farke post match.

"First of all, congratulations to Arsenal, it's down to the mentality that Mikel has created here that even on a tough day they find a way to win the game.

"This is what they today and congratulations to their quality and this mentality as well.

"My emotions are a mix. Of course I am heartbroken and gutted for my players because they deserve to travel back with points today and after such a really good away performance to travel back without any points, it's tough and for that, of course I'm disappointed, especially for them.

"But on the other hand I am very proud of what was a top away performance.

I think the first half was only on a really good level. We didn't allow any chances, it was more or less the other way round.

"We looked more dangerous and I told them at half time, listen, if we keep going and have a bit more clarity and belief in our offensive actions then we will win this game and this is also how we started the second half.

"I think we fully deserved to go into the lead and also went for it, we wanted the second goal anyhow.

"But it's Arsenal, it's one of the best teams in Europe, if not the best, it's definitely the most consistent team in Europe over the last years and this means they are automatically one of the best teams in the world and even out of very, very little, they were able to find the equaliser.

"I can't really complain too much with this behaviour in this goal.

"It was a long cross to the far post, perhaps were over-shifting a bit too much to send the centre backs to the far post and then didn't spot the run from the edge of the box quick enough, and on a good day, perhaps James (Trafford) has also the chance to put it over the crossbar because I sense he touched it.

"Out of very little they were able to equalise and of course, if you have 70 minutes as a reigning champion, a tough day at home, then you are all of a sudden back in the game then of course there's momentum.

"They use this momentum then with another well taken goal, a quality player to come in with a really good finish to go in the lead.

"We tried everything to find another answer in the final stages to equalise in the game, it was not to be so for that congratulations to Arsenal.

"Of course we are a bit heartbroken and disappointed right now just straightaway after the game, but once the dust has settled we also have to say we'll take many, many positives."