Arsenal got back in the Premier League win column after three weeks away from the pitch, coming back to beat previously-unbeaten Leeds 2-1 in North London.
The Gunners join Man City with the division’s best points total after Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes scored eight minutes apart to overcome James Justin’s opener for Leeds.
Arsenal improve to 5-0-1, good for 15 points and a spot below City on goal differential. Leeds drop to 2-3-1 and stay on nine points.
It isn’t a big surprise that Mikel Arteta’s substitutions changed Arsenal’s fate against Leeds on Saturday. It’s also not a slight to the manager that the moves were, indeed, obvious ones — Arsenal is driven by his calculations and pragmatism.
Arteta’s Gunners fell to Brighton when he tried to fight fire with fire in Week 5. The Seagulls disrupted Arsenal’s midfield and it was all downhill from there as Declan Rice and Bruno Guimaraes still learn each other’s tendencies. Neither is a truly safe, cautious midfielder.
Myles Lewis-Skelly is the definition of that, just as Martin Zubimendi was least season. The 20-year-old Lewis-Skelly was back in the team with Rice on Saturday and it led to a predictable outcome: Arsenal had the ball more and were better under pressure but rarely looked capable of dissecting Leeds. A commentator described Lewis-Skelly as press-resistant and the fresh-out-of-his-teens midfielder was great in possession. He’s getting almost all of Zubimendi’s minutes from last season and the role is similar enough.
The minute Leeds took the lead, however, it was clear that Arteta knew his best route to a goal against a tactical approach like Daniel Farke’s visitors. Bruno Guimaraes is a disruptive creator who can join Rice and Arsenal attackers in delivering dangerous, beautiful football. It opens things up in the middle, of course, but Arsenal had to chase the game.
There’s an extreme pragmatism to Arteta, an internal calculator constantly considering the numbers above the feel. It’s not about feel but predictability and results. Being safer and keeping the ball against an inferior but dangerous foe makes sense to him, so he’s not going to risk that advantage to pass a sort of football purity test. Yet if the three points are in question, he’s going for it and he knows just what to do.
There are real questions about Arteta’s best midfield as he tries to get the most out of his attackers. Zubimendi was a huge part of Arsenal’s title but has been relegated to an afterthought. Odegaard has been one of the best players in the league this season, while Guimaraes and Eberechi Eze are also fighting for minutes. It’s probably a relief that the Champions League’s schedule congestion is here as Arteta tries to find minutes for everyone. And now we find out if he finally trusts his depth in the face of minor disadvantages in math.
Arsenal host Lille at 3pm ET Tuesday in the Champions League, then head to Nottingham Forest at 11:30am Sunday (October 18) in the Premier League.
Leeds are in action a bit earlier that day for a 9am kickoff at home to Manchester United.
Mikel Arteta’s post-match interview shows he is not scared to put lofty goals on his team’s to-do list.
“Before the game we talked about two things: the first, a challenge ahead against a team that hadn’t lost in the Premier League and the second to restore our identity. We weren’t please about what we did against Brighton and today we had a chance to make it right. We wanted to prove we are something special and unique.”
So frustrating to drop points? “Obviously disappointed which in the grand scheme of things is a good thing. We came here last year and were nowhere near the level. There are a lot of positives to take from the game, playing against one of the best sides in the world. There’s a reason why they are up there.”
Arsenal a handful: “Their mentality is unbelievable. What their coach has instilled in them. He’s been there so long. Everyone works. That’s what we’re striving for.”
Good boost for next game vs Man United? “It’s a massive game for us next weekend. We’ll be going in with full confidence. There’s a few things we can brush up on.”
How did it feel to score first home goal with a comeback winner? “Feels unbelievable. In the last game against Brighton we were not at the level the show demands. This is my official game at home. I feel unbelievable to score an important goal and get three important points.”
“Great feeling for me it’s important to give my best when on the pitch, give a little bit of a headache for the manager. I’m very happy to score my first goal here.”
Feel like you’re proving yourself in the Arsenal shirt? “I would say yes. I’ve been proving it in the Premier League the last five years but of course it’s a new challenge. For me, the most important thing for Bruno is to go onto the pitch and play my best football.”
Big win? “We know the Premier League is very tight. Leeds have a great team. Every time we can get three points it’s a welcome point.”
Arsenal is now behind Man City on goal difference alone after climbing onto 15 points via their 5-0-1 record.
Leeds remain fourth for the moment after suffering their first loss of the Premier League season. They are 2-3-1.
That’s it for Martin Odegaard, who is replaced by Mikel Merino in the 90th minute.
The Gunners will have to navigate five minutes to see out their comeback win.
Perhaps it’s no surprise that Arsenal’s depth came off the bench to deliver an advantage.
Now Leeds have to hope their subs can make a similar impact.
American playmaker Brenden Aaronson and Welsh creator Harry Wilson enter the game for Ao Tanaka and Noah Okafor in the 71st minute.
One of Mikel Arteta’s substitutes delivers Arsenal its first lead of the day.
Bruno Guimaraes plays a role in starting the play and reaps the final reward after Madueke, Odegaard, and Rice display fine interplay to cue up the Brazilian.
Guimaraes still had plenty to do, and his blistered low shot from outside the 18 defies Trafford.
Arteta won’t revert to defense and possession despite the equalizer, as he calls upon a more attacking group.
Out go Lewis-Skelly, White, and Havertz for Bruno Guimaraes, Jurrien Timber, and Viktor Gyokeres.
What a moment this could be for Guimaraes or Gyokeres.
Leeds’ lead lasts just seven minutes.
Of course Arsenal’s breakthrough begins with Madueke, who has been very good and whips in a cross to the back post.
Ben White does well to nod it back across goal and Kai Havertz is occupied by two defenders, leaving Riccardo Calafiori alone for the equalizer if he can track the ball... which he does as it bounds past Trafford.
Leeds are deservedly ahead as Gudmundsson and Bogle — so good at both ends today — play a huge part in finally delivering a goal to North London.
Raya cannot reach Gudmundsson’s low, worm-burning pass through the box and Justin slams his shot toward the far post. Gabriel Magalhaes is on the line at a tough angle and his header does not achieve its goal, merely changing the trajectory of Bogle’s opener.
The trend continues as Arsenal get good work from Madueke on the left.
His cross finds Odegaard but the Norwegian essentially hits a hard low pass which is rescued from the goal by a diving but comfortable Trafford.
0-0, now into the 53rd minute.
Arsenal use kickoff to go flying down the pitch but Leeds are able to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick.
We suspected that the early kickoff coming out of an international break might be a leveler but it could also be that Daniel Farke’s matured Leeds set-up is ready for prime time (even if 7:30am ET isn’t prime time).
Saka has been perhaps the best player in the Premier League to start the season, but most of his 26 touches have come either under duress — often by double team — or removed from real danger.
He does have two touches in the box but Muharemovic and Gudmundsson have sufficiently complicated Saka’s life in attack. Noni Madueke’s had a bit more luck on the other side but is also dealing with a well-covered flank.
Halftime stats
Possession: Arsenal, 60%
xG: Arsenal, 0.41-0.39
Shot attempts: Leeds, 6-4
Shots on target: Leeds, 3-1
Corners: Leeds, 2-0
Fouls committed: Leeds, 10-7
Touches in opposition box: Arsenal, 13-8
Leeds genuinely do have a significant foothold here, and David Raya again has work to do with a vicious shot from close range.
He blocks that, leading to a throw well-handled by the hosts. Into the 44th minute here, still scoreless.
Leeds defender James Justin is set for 60 seconds or more off the pitch as he’s required several minutes of on-field treatment before the half-hour mark.
Justin will be breathing primarly through the mouth with treatment stuck into both nostrils.
Arsenal had been looking more vivid and connected near the final third — again — when Leeds reminded their hosts that danger lurks with every loose pass.
Gabriel Gudmundsson’s cross finds Anton Stach at the back post but he slams his shot into the body of fellow ball-pursuer Jayden Bogle.
Proper warning for Arsenal, who didn’t need it but will heed it.
0-0, 27'
The offside flag has been nearly as big an obstacle to Arsenal than the Leeds compact defense with four infractions keeping the Gunners from a shot attempt until the 21st minute.
That’s when Kai Havertz contorted his body mid-jump to head Noni Madueke’s cross into the arms of a stooping James Trafford.
Leeds had the edge in xG to that point despite better than 68% of the ball belonging to the Gunners.
The visitors get two bites at a goal in the eighth minute, with the second deflected just wide of the 18 from its genesis outside of the 18.
Arsenal deal very well with the corner. Leeds contend to keep the ball in the Gunners’ end.
0-0, 9'
Leeds in bright yellow shirts with dark shorts and yellow socks contrast with Arsenal’s classic red/white/red and of course the green grass of home.
Arsenal are quickly into possession but Leeds active in closing down space. Noni Madueke works an early chance with Martin Odegaard but the Gunners are offside on the final ball.
0-0, 2'.
The Gunners started brighter than Leeds, but the visitors found their footing and deserved their early second-half lead.
Leeds went in front through James Justin in the 56th minute, but Riccardo Calafiori kept his composure to bring Arsenal level in the 62nd minute. Bruno Guimaraes then entered the fray and made his mark with an emphatic low finish in the 70th minute.
Noni Madueke and David Raya were Arsenal’s best performers over 90 minutes, although the latter could not stop the cross for Leeds’ opener. Daniel Farke’s men will feel hard done by but the difference in this game is the quality of fresh legs that Arsenal are able to inject into a second half.
Jurrien Timber and Guimaraes were good off the bench and Viktor Gyokeres played his part, too.
Starting XI
Trafford
Muharemovic
Elvedi
Justin
Gudmundsson
Tanaka
Ampadu
Stach
Bogle
Okafor
Calvert-Lewin
Bench: Zetterer, Bijol, Bard, Aaronson, Gruev, Longstaff, Wilson, Bahoya, Nmecha
Starting XI
Raya
White
Konsa
Magalhaes
Calafiori
Rice
Lewis-Skelly
Saka
Odegaard
Madueke
Havertz
Bench: Arrizabalaga, Timber, Hincapie, Guimaraes, Eze, Zubimendi, Dowman, Merino, Gyokeres
Arsenal smashed Leeds in North London during their Week 2 meeting last season, and it wasn’t much closer at Elland Road in Week 24.
Arsenal have a 55W-33D-41L all-time against Leeds, with most of those losses way back in time.
Leeds have not beaten Arsenal since a late Mark Viduka winner capped a 3-2 win at the Emirates late in the 2002-03 season.
That’s a run of 14 matches with just two draws — one in the FA Cup — and a running tally of eight losses in a row.
A late week report says Kylian Mbappe could reconsider his future at Real Madrid if things don’t turn around this season.
A report from Spanish outlet Fichajes — never one for blushes — says that Arsenal and Liverpool will be closely monitoring the 27-year-old‘s season.
There are very few teams who can afford Mbappe’s transfer fee and salary demands, and he has countrymen on both teams...
Kick off time: 7:30am ET Saturday, October 10
Venue: Emirates Stadium — North London
TV Channel: USA
Stream link: Watch on USA
Leeds’ Tarik Muharemovic has been a revelation at center back, while James Trafford looks comfortable behind him.
Arsenal have their own dynamic duo at the back with Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya.
Both have playmakers up front, though Arsenal certainly have more difference makers and a healthy advantage in the midfield.
Can Leeds outrun and out-physical Arsenal?
Arsenal have underscored their 9.41 expected goals (8) and are have defended better than their 5.45 expected goals against (4). By extension, their expected points haul sits below 10.
Leeds have been a lot more fortunate in goals allowed than expected (+3.41).
What we’re saying is that goals could be on the agenda, especially given Arsenal’s injuries at the back.
Arsenal 1-1 Leeds.
Arsenal are heavy favorites according to DraftKings.
The Gunners are -260 to win, with a Leeds draw delivering +400 and an upset win paying +700.
Arsenal are trying to take the next steps under the Premier League’s managerial longevity leader.
Mikel Arteta is set to stay at Arsenal through the 2029-30 season, and it’s clear that the Gunners are seeking to claim all sorts of trophies and establish a dynasty.
Here are his thoughts, plus some reflections on what could be next on the red side of North London.
