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Arsenal overcame a second-half deficit to secure a 2-1 victory over Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday according to Reuters. James Justin gave the visitors a deserved lead in the 55th minute before Riccardo Calafiori equalised seven minutes later and Bruno Guimaraes struck the winner in the 70th minute. The result saw the defending champions return to winning ways following a 3-0 loss to Brighton prior to the international break while inflicting a first defeat of the season on an impressive Leeds side.
Leeds dominated much of the opening hour at the Emirates Stadium and took the lead when Justin slammed home after meeting a clever pull-back from Gabriel Gudmundsson Sky Sports reported. Arsenal had struggled to create clear chances in the first half but responded strongly after falling behind with five shots in the 15 minutes following Leeds’ opener including the two goals that turned the match around. Manager Mikel Arteta introduced substitutes including Guimaraes Jurrien Timber and Viktor Gyokeres as the champions sought a way back into the contest.
Riccardo Calafiori levelled the score in the 62nd minute by steering home a knockdown from Ben White after a deep cross according to data from Opta Analyst. Guimaraes then produced the decisive moment just eight minutes after coming off the bench when he slotted a low shot into the far corner following slick build-up play involving Declan Rice Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka. The Brazilian midfielder who joined Arsenal from Newcastle United in the summer has now scored twice as a substitute this season.
Guimaraes said “My job if on the bench is to give a headache to the manager. I have been proving myself in the Premier League but it was important for me today. Leeds have a great team a top game. Glad we could get the three points.” The win lifted Arsenal level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table ahead of the leaders’ match against Liverpool. Leeds who had been unbeaten entering the fixture dropped to their first loss of the campaign.
Arsenal finished the match with 58 percent possession and 2.58 expected goals compared to Leeds’ 0.68 Sofascore figures show. David Raya made key saves to deny Leeds in the first half while James Trafford produced strong stops for the visitors including one from Bukayo Saka late on. The champions will look to build on this comeback as they continue their title defence while Leeds demonstrated they can compete at this level despite the defeat.
