“Imagine my shock”, “Obscene” – Many Leeds fans react to dominance of 5 ft 8 “hero”

Many Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media, after LUFC Data shared an InStat Football figure showing Kalvin Phillips’ dominance against Arsenal in the FA Cup Third Round.

Phillips opened the knockout tie at the Emirates Stadium in the holding midfield role of boss Marcelo Bielsa’s 4-1-4-1, with the Argentine calling on the 24-year-old for the 28th time this season in all competitions.

Bielsa has only been without Phillips for our 2-0 win over West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town last month, having seen the 5 ft 8 midfielder receive his fifth caution of the league campaign days before as we beat Middlesbrough 4-0.

The boss would have been grateful to have Phillips in his side when we travelled to North London on Monday night, despite going on to lose the tie 1-0, as the club academy graduate won challenges against eight different Arsenal players.

Phillips also won four challenges against 2014 World Cup winner Mesut Ozil, which was more than any other United player won against the £350,000-per-week German.

Phillips won a total of nine tackles from 12 attempts against Arsenal on Monday night, which was also a game-high figure with Barry Douglas second on five, per WhoScored data.

Leeds-born Phillips also registered one interception, one clearance, a joint-game-high four key balls with Ozil and Mateusz Klich, plus 31 accurate passes from 37 and delivered one accurate corner from three attempts.

According to Sofa Score statistics, Phillips won ten of his 15 ground duels, as well as playing two accurate long balls from five passes and made two accurate crosses from four deliveries.

Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to InStat Football’s figure showing Phillips’ dominance vs Arsenal in the FA Cup…

so???

— iam_ToniKruus (@VeniskiP) January 7, 2020

He was obscene last night what a performance by him

— Barney (@barney___21) January 7, 2020

Imagine my shock when they gave lacazette man of the match !!!!

— Burny (@Aaronburnside) January 7, 2020

Yet Lacazette won MotM. For what? Not scoring or creating anything and taking a petulant kick at Berardi? #KP23 was hero last night. Absolute beast mode.

— Leeds Faithful (@MaynardM) January 7, 2020

Kelvin did an amazing job, shame the ref useless. VAR last night was a joke too.

— Jan Newell (@JanNewell6) January 7, 2020

MOTM by a country mile, poor choice in the end to appease the Arsenal fans

— Mike Whorley (@mikewhorley) January 7, 2020

Was Ozil playing last night??

— markstevens 💙💛 (@LUFCStevo) January 7, 2020

Come on @Kalvinphillips empty Ozil out of your pocket and give him back

👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼@TheSquareBall

— James (@jim_hdwk) January 7, 2020