Freddie Ljungberg singles out Arsenal star Bukayo Saka for praise after Leeds United draw

Freddie Ljungberg admitted Arsenal were ‘lucky’ to draw with Leeds United (Pictures: Getty / Sky Sports)

Freddie Ljungberg singled out Bukayo Saka for praise after Arsenal’s goalless draw with Leeds United in the Premier League.

Leeds hit the woodwork three times but failed to put the ball in the back of the net as Mikel Arteta’s side clinched a fortunate point at Elland Road on Sunday.

Arsenal record signing Nicolas Pepe was sent off for violent conduct during the Premier League clash but Saka almost broke the deadlock after his team-mate’s dismissal.

England international Saka started the match on the bench but entered the fray shortly after half-time in replace of Joe Willock and impressed before he was forced off in injury-time with an injury concern.

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Reacting to the goalless draw, former Arsenal caretaker manager Ljungberg told Sky Sports: ‘Leeds were very, very good today. They created a lot of chances. One of those should go in.

‘But I thought Bukayo [Saka] was very good when he came on and could have nicked it towards the end there. Arsenal were maybe a bit lucky. But they almost got a goal and that was their plan after the red card.’

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin, meanwhile, admitted he had ‘mixed feelings’ after the goalless draw.

Nicolas Pepe was sent off during Arsenal’s goalless draw (Picture: Getty)

He said: ‘I have to say as a player I have mixed feelings, I am not someone who gets happy with a draw, but taking into consideration the opposition and the fact we had 10 men.

‘We looked really solid, obviously they created chances but the team responded really well.

‘We both had chances, we go home with a draw and it is one of those games you need to forget about and move on to the next one, because we have a busy schedule coming up.

‘Coming to Elland Road, you know you are going to have a tough game, a team who have been working for a few years with Marcelo Bielsa, tactically very brave and intelligent, when you have to defend in the whole second half it gets tiring in your brain, rather than your body.

‘I am happy we didn’t conceded and still looked solid.’

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