Arsenal clawed their way back from a 1-0 deficit against Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium. With the opening fixture of the Premier League after the international break, the Gunners sought to go level on points with Manchester City, falling behind their rival after a disappointing loss to Brighton back in September.
Arsenal Starting XI: 4-2-3-1 formation. David Raya (GK), Ben White (RB), Ezri Konsa (CB), Gabriel Magalhães (CB), Riccardo Calafiori (LB), Declan Rice (CDM), Myles Lewis-Skelly (CDM), Bukayo Saka (CAM), Ødegaard (CAM), Noni Madeuke (CAM), Kai Havertz (ST)
Leeds United Starting XI: 3-4-2-1 formation. James Trafford (GK), James Justin (CB), Nico Elvedi (CB), Tarik Muharemović (CB), Jayden Bogle (RM), Ethan Ampadu (CM), Ao Tanaka (CM), Gabriel Gudmundsson (LM), Anton Stach (RF), Noah Okafor (LF), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (ST)
The Gunners seemed to be the dominant team in the first half of the match, maintaining 60% of overall possession; however, despite presenting some immaculate build-up plays, they struggled to find the back of the net, with only 1 of their 4 shots being on-target. Leeds, on the other hand, seemed closer to finding the winning formula to scoring on their opposition; they had 7 shots with 3 shots on target, putting Raya under some serious pressure to keep a clean sheet. The first half ended in a 0-0 stalemate, with both sides looking likely to score in the second half.
Upon the beginning of the second half, the home side struggled to find a rhythm, with Leeds pouncing on opportunities to take possession. As expected, with the momentum in their favour, Leeds managed to net a goal in the 55th minute; Gudmundsson’s assist was stellar, sliding through the Arsenal defence and drawing Raya away from goal, finding Justin who delivered a fantastic finish into an open goal, despite Gabriel’s best efforts to clear it. With the scoreline at 1-0, the Gunners had around 40 minutes to retaliate.
Leeds’s advantage didn’t last long – Arsenal were raring to equalise as soon as possible. The goal which took them level came a mere 7 minutes later; Madeuke swept in a cross which found White in the box, who headed it onwards and past the two Leeds defenders who were marking Havertz. The ball found Calafiori, who sent the ball to the back of the net with an easy finish. The Gunners were ready to charge onto their next goal to secure all three points.
Just after Calafiori’s goal, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta capitalized on their momentum by making substitutions. White, Lewis-Skelly and Havertz came off to make way for Jurrien Timber, Bruno Guimarães and Viktor Gyökeres on the pitch. His substitutions were a wise choice – the final goal which pulled Arsenal into the lead came from Guimarães, with the aid of Ødegaard and Rice with some incredible build-up play. A short pass from Ødegaard found the feet of Rice. With an expertly maneuvered pass from him, the ball made it to Guimarães, who delivered the final blow, finding the bottom corner of the net past Trafford.
With Guimarães’s goal, Arsenal marched on to victory, claiming all three points against Leeds. Their win at home brings them to 15 points, level with their title rivals Manchester City, who are currently ahead on goal difference. Depending on Manchester City’s outcome against Liverpool, Arsenal could overtake them this weekend and claim the top spot of the table. However, in order to maintain that position and resume their title defence, the Gunners will have to look ahead to their next fixtures and ensure that they continue playing up to the high standards which they set last season.
Arsenal’s next Premier League fixture will be against Nottingham Forest, who they will face away at The City Ground on Sunday, 18th October.
