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‘Head and shoulders above’: Some Leeds fans hail 22-year-old despite Carabao Cup loss to Arsenal
A number of Leeds United fans have praised Pascal Struijk for his display in the Carabao Cup fourth-round defeat to Arsenal.
The Whites were hoping to reach the quarter-finals of the competition as well as get a much-needed confidence boost.
Leeds began brightly enough against Arsenal and had several chances to open the scoring in the first half.
However, Marcelo Bielsa’s charges couldn’t break the deadlock come half time, with both sides still level at the break.
And in the second half, Leeds mistakes enabled the Gunners to score unanswered goals which put them in the hat at the Elland Road side’s expense.
Calum Chambers opened the scoring on 55 minutes, heading Nicolas Pepe’s knockback inches over the goal-line despite Illan Meslier’s best efforts.
Former Leeds loanee Eddie Nketiah then made the most of Liam Cooper’s poor backpass to pounce on the ball and send it over Meslier for Arsenal’s second.
Diego Llorente was arguably his side’s best player, while Pascal Struijk also impressed for Leeds.
The 22-year-old wasn’t at fault for either goal and was key to the visitors’ defensive solidity in the first half.
He took the most touches of any player in the game (), was accurate in his passing, and made several interceptions, clearances and blocks.
Some Leeds fans think that, going forward, Struijk and Llorente should be the centre-back partnership:
Struijk and Llorente are pure class together. So calm.
— phil (@philc2911)
2-0 FT, home team deserved it on second half showing. Both goals a result of individual errors. Struijk head and shoulders above all team mates
— Tony Mulraney (@tmulraney)
Onto Sunday 👊🏽
I really like Struijk but Cooper was legitimately brilliant against Wolves. Made basically one mistake tonight in a match were going to & probably needed to lose. Don’t think we should write him off yet.
— 𝕋𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕪 (@tommy_lufc)
Struijk & Llorente partnership is back and I want it to stay that way.
— Harry Boyes (@hgboyes)
Struijk misplaced some balls tonight, not his finest of games but nonetheless he always looks solid at centre half.. Llorente & Struijk surely the future with Koch pushing when back
— Ben (@BenNewell1919)
Struijk and Llorente are pure class together. So calm.
— phil (@philc2911)
That partnership steadied the ship last year and it was frustrating to see it broken up. I think Cooper has been terrific this season but Struijk & Llorente together is 🤌
— Browney (@BrowneyBrowne)