Lots of Leeds United fans have been lauding Jack Harrison on social media for his performance against Arsenal in Monday night’s FA Cup Third Round defeat.
A spirited first-half performance by Marcelo Bielsa’s men had Mikel Arteta’s Gunners on the back foot heading into the break, and could easily have seen the hosts trailing had Patrick Bamford’s thunderous shot not crashed back off the bar.
Arteta’s half-time team talk in the North Londoner’s dressing room did its job, unfortunately, and Arsenal returned to the field for the second period a much stronger side before taking the lead through Reiss Nelson in the 55th-minute.
Nelson’s effort proved enough for Arsenal to take a 1-0 win and secure a Fourth Round trip to fellow Premier League outfit AFC Bournemouth, but Leeds left the Emirates Stadium with our heads held high.
For some of the Elland Road faithful, Harrison ought to have been holding his head the highest, as they have lauded the on-loan Manchester City winger for his display on the road to Arsenal.
Harrison caused the North Londoners a myriad of issues on the right-flank on Monday night, having been deployed on the right for the first time this season in any competition after previously playing exclusively on the left.
The 23-year-old – who we have an option-to-buy in the summer – would crop up anywhere our offence needed at the Emirates Stadium, and terrorised Gunners left-back Sead Kolasinac through his speed and ball control.
Do we sign Harrison on a permanent deal this summer?
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Harrison could have scored on a few occasions, too, but for Emiliano Martinez producing fine saves and Sokratis Papastathopoulos recovering well in the 90th-minute to prevent a late equaliser.
By the full-time whistle, 5 ft 8 Harrison had recorded a game-high three shots on target – having directed each of his strikes on Martinez’s net – while also completing two of his four dribbles, playing one key ball from 21/35 accurate passes and enjoying 64 touches, per WhoScored data.
He won six of his 15 ground duels, as well, and recorded two successful tackles, one accurate cross from three, one accurate long ball from three and was fouled twice, according to Sofa Score statistics, though lost possession 26 times, too.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans offered their thoughts on Harrison’s performance…
How can you not see that Harrison is far better on the Right
More confident in his decision making, better shootingGotts struggling with the step up, but hard game to debut in. Hope to see more of him performing at his usual level
Obvious lack of squad depth #LUFC
— NormanChunter (@NormanChunter) January 6, 2020
Meslier superb, Gotts very good and Harrison especially in that first half 🔥 showed we can compete with the big boys if we do get up this season and Meslier has shown us we don’t need to worry if Kiko does get banned. Quality distribution. Support absolutely unreal #lufc #mot pic.twitter.com/HjsNv66G7C
— Jack Douglas (@JDouglasSport) January 6, 2020
Absolutely loved @Harrison_Jack11 on the right tonight, best I’ve seen him. The premiership suits our style, plenty of time on the ball, we’re doing this #lufc
— MRS A – not the bacteria 💙💛 (@JoolsM71) January 6, 2020
Bamford- excellent hold up play
Phillips- immense tackling
Harrison- so creative on the wings
Ayling- made brilliant attacking runs
Meslier- insanely accurate goal kicks
Gotts- sensational performance considering first ever gameShowed what we’re about, all we can ask #LUFC 🌟
— Jonny Chick 💙💛 (@jonnychick__) January 6, 2020
My middle of the night thoughts… we need to play Harrison on the right. Different beast there tonight. #lufc
— Brandon Yates (@Brandon7Yates) January 7, 2020
After game thoughts, Meslier looked comfortable, we should sign Jackie Harrison, I should visit Rwanda. #lufc
— Navneet Sirha (@n_sirha) January 6, 2020
This lad is becoming something special… I’ll admit. I had those niggly feelings it wouldn’t work out. Or that he wasn’t good enough… But i’m happy to eat my hat. The boy is proving me very wrong as of late!
— Christopher Gale (@Gale82Chris) January 6, 2020
World class on the right, looked lost on the left
— Royce Dunston (@roycedun) January 6, 2020
Best loan player Leeds have ever had. Change my mind.
— Y H (@Decado73) January 6, 2020
My man if the match
— shane mc donnell (@shanemcdonnel19) January 6, 2020
In other Leeds United news, the club have named their price for an in-demand 24-year-old, set to leave Elland Road in January.