Marcelo Bielsa praises Illan Meslier's character after Leeds United shut out Arsenal

Four-one defeats to Leicester City and Crystal Palace before November's international break inevitably raised questions about the Whites' defending, and their young goalkeeper, although coach Bielsa explained before Sunday's game that his team's openness at times was an inevitable consequence of their willingness to take risks in attack in a detailed analysis of their start to the season.

Leeds dominated Sunday's home game against Arsenal and were playing against ten men for most of the second half after Nicolas Pepe was sent off for headbutting Ezgjan Alioski. Despite that, Meslier still had to be an important save in the 85th minute when Arsenal's most dangerous players, substitute Buyako Saka, tried and failed to take the ball around him.

With Leeds hitting the woodwork three times, it ensured they at least took a point from the game.

Meslier signed on loan from Lorient last season and made his debut in the FA Cup against the Gunners, but it was not until Kiko Casilla was banned for using racist language in February that he was handed his second appearance. He has been immovable as first-choice ever since.

At 20 years-old, the Frenchman is the Premier League's youngest player to have that status, but Bielsa believes his character has made up for his inexperience in any difficult moments he has encountered this season.

“He's a player who is very strong mentally and has character,” he said admiringly. “To play in the Premier League always demands you to be strong mentally.

“You can't play at this level without personality and character.

“On Sunday he had a very important intervention but we evaluate a keeper over a longer period of time, not a section of games.”

Meslier has kept two clean sheets away from home this season, against Sheffield United and Aston Villa.

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