Marcelo Bielsa reacts to Tyler Roberts’ display in Leeds defeat at Arsenal

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Marcelo Bielsa has praised Tyler Roberts’s performance in Leeds United’s clash at Arsenal at the weekend, claiming that the Wales international had a lot to do with the Whites’ improved second-half display – in comments reported by Leeds Live.

Roberts has endured a tough time since Leeds’s promotion to the Premier League. He has only managed to make two starts for the club at the highest level.

However, he has looked a lot brighter when given opportunities in recent weeks. He was arguably a shining light in the hugely disappointing loss at home to Brighton. And he produced some nice touches after coming on against Newcastle.

Roberts came on at half-time at the Emirates at the weekend. At the time, Leeds were 3-0 down. And it was not long before the home side added their fourth.

However, the Whites then started to produce a real fightback. They got two goals, with Roberts providing the assist for the second with a nice pass for Helder Costa.

With Leeds dealing with a number of injuries right now, Roberts may feel that he is in with a good chance of ending his wait for a start – which stretches back to October’s draw with Manchester City.

And his hopes have surely been boosted as Bielsa outlined the similarities between Roberts and Rodrigo, who will not be involved in Friday’s trip to Wolves.

“Tyler and Rodrigo have things in common,” he said, as reported by Leeds Live. “They’re strikers who can play as lone strikers or behind a striker. In the game against Arsenal he had a significant weight in the game.

“Our offensive game improved a lot in the second half and he had a lot to do with that improvement. He’s in condition to leave his mark when he participates.”

Roberts – who cost £4 million, according to the Daily Mail – has struggled to silence his critics. However, he has proved in the past that he can be a game-changer when he is at his best.

It is fair to argue that he needs to produce those performances a lot more often moving forward. But there have been signs lately that suggest that he is getting back to his best.