Mikel Arteta’s impressed choice as Arsenal keep away from dropping factors with late Leeds turnaround
Arsenal had to work hard for the three points on Saturday lunchtime as they came from behind to beat a Leeds United side that had been the better side for the best part of an hour
Mikel Arteta’s side came from behind on Saturday(Image: VINCE MIGNOTT/EPA/Shutterstock)
Arsenal fans have had to wait three weeks for a response to their drubbing at Brighton. And in the time since that trip to the Amex, the defending champions have shown they still have the mettle of champions.
Mikel Arteta’s side spent large periods of the game chasing shadows against Leeds United, who looked the better team for much of the clash. But a late push, inspired by a tactical switch, saw the Gunners move level with league leaders Manchester City, albeit temporarily.
Arsenal started the clash asleep at the wheel, allowing Leeds to repeatedly overload them down the flanks through their full-backs. And it was perhaps fitting that one of those defenders was the man to break the deadlock.
Bruno Guimaraes was the man of the match
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Gabriel Gudmundsson and James Justin pushed high up the pitch, pinning Arsenal’s defensive line back as the Gunners’ wingers failed to track their runs. Arsenal were overrun.
Leeds continued to exploit that weakness, regularly finding a free man out wide to whip the ball into the box. Gudmundsson had the best chance of the first half, finding himself unmarked he lashed his strike goalwards – forcing a fantastic save from David Raya.
And, after being the better side, Leeds finally broke the deadlock as Justin found himself unmarked, smashing the ball into the top-left corner.
Riccardo Calafiori volleyed home the equaliser
Arsenal looked down and out, but the champions showed their mettle. It was the kind of game the Gunners found a way to win during their title-winning campaign last season, and Saturday was no exception.
Arteta introduced summer recruit Bruno Guimaraes, who immediately seized control of the midfield and drove Arsenal forward.
Riccardo Calafiori volleyed the Gunners level before Guimaraes completed the turnaround, firing past James Trafford from outside the box.
Leeds had been the better side for the majority of the clash
On another day, Leeds might be returning to Yorkshire with three points in the bag, but Arsenal proved why they are champions and why Brighton was just a speed bump.
It will be all eyes on Manchester City now, who travel to Anfield on Sunday afternoon – which is expected to be a cauldron after City’s guilty verdict earlier this month.
The title race is on, Arsenal have done their job, now it’s time for City.
