SHOOTING practice should be high on Leeds United’s training agenda as they prepare to take on Everton on Saturday.

They rained in 25 efforts against Arsenal at Elland Road on Sunday but could not hit the net as the two played out a frantic goalless draw.

That tally is the most by any side without scoring in the Premier League since Manchester City’s 26 at Southampton in July. They are only the third side to have so many efforts in the league this season.

Both teams went into the game needing a win after recent disappointing results so a point apiece will be welcome, particularly for the Gunners, who played all but six minutes of the second half with 10 men after the dismissal of Nicholas Pepe.

It was a frustrating match for the dominant Whites, who struck the goal frame three times and drew some fine saves from Bernd Leno.

However, the clean sheet and the overall nature of the performance pleased coach Marcelo Bielsa after successive 4-1 defeats.

He said: “The result could have been in our favour. The performance was satisfactory, 11 against 11 we played well and with a man advantage we were more dangerous.

“It was a steady and valuable performance throughout and a result which could have been a different one. We missed a lot of chances, we arrived in different ways and there were three shots which hit the post.”

The return of Kalvin Phillips in midfield after a month out with a shoulder injury provided Leeds with more defensive solidity – something that will be required when United take on high-flying Everton in another match televised by Sky on Sunday tea-time.

Phillips and Leeds did well to snuff out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on Sunday but Everton with 10-goal Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and James Rodriguez will surely pose a greater threat than the colourless Gunners.

Both sides struggled early on with their passing after a pre-match downpour, the nearest to a goal coming when £75m man Pepe’s mishit cross dropped on to Ilan Meslier’s bar. After 15 minutes Leeds took hold on the game but wild shooting and a stop by Leno from a Patrick Bamford volley denied them a breakthrough.

Arsenal were struggling to cope with Leeds’ all-round energy before Pepe’s 51st minute red card. The Ivory Coast international pushed his head into Gianni Alioski’s face, the Leeds man needing no second invitation to go down.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta branded Pepe’s action as “unacceptable” and his troops immediately retreated to their own box as Leeds battered away at them without success. It was reminiscent of some of last season’s Championship games when United failed to break down stubborn opposition.

Imprisoned Arsenal did manage to escape their chains on a couple of occasions, Meslier having to block superbly after Hector Bellerin’s magnificent pass set substitute Bukayo Saka free, but it was largely one-way traffic.

Three efforts, all in the later stages, came back off the Arsenal woodwork – Rodrigo’s 18-yard shot, Bamford’s excellent header and a shot from Raphinha, making his debut, smashing against the angle of bar and post in injury time.

Meanwhile, Leeds’ England Under-19 defender Charlie Cresswell, son of former York City striker Richard Cresswell, has extended his contract to summer 2023.