Luke Ayling reflects on latest Leeds United learning curve facing Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
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Regular right back Ayling was again tasked with shifting over to play centre-half in Sunday's Premier League clash against the Gunners as part of a positional reshuffle due to Kalvin Phillips being injured.
That meant Jamie Shackleton taking over at right back as Pascal Struijk moved into the holding midfield role as Ayling partnered Whites captain Liam Cooper at centre-back.
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Hide AdIt also meant Ayling having to deal with sharpshooter Aubameyang who bagged his first ever Gunners hat-trick as strikes in the 14th and 47th minute sandwiched the striker's 41st-minute penalty.
Aubameyang could have added to his tally as only a tremendous block from Ayling sent another effort over the bar in the first half and the 31-year-old was also denied by the woodwork after the break.
"He's a very clever striker," Ayling told beIN Sports.
"He pulls out into them positions where me as a centre half or playing as a centre half don't really want to go.
"When he builds up speed and then he's backing you into the box it's hard to do anything against a striker like that.
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Hide Ad"It's another learning curve but it's not one that I'm pleased of that it's his first hat trick."
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Thank you Laura Collins
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