Defending champions Arsenal survived a scare at the Emirates on Saturday, coming from a goal down to beat a dogged Leeds United 2-1 and move level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
Leeds, who arrived in London unbeaten in the league, frustrated the champions for the opening 45 minutes and then stunned the home crowd ten minutes after the restart, when James Justin slammed home a clever pull-back from Gabriel Gudmundsson to give the visitors a deserved lead.
Substitutes turn the tide
Arsenal's response was swift. Seven minutes after falling behind, Riccardo Calafiori rose to steer Ben White's knock-down past the Leeds goalkeeper and level the scores. Then, in the 70th minute, substitute Bruno Guimaraes — introduced as part of a triple change alongside Jurrien Timber and Viktor Gyokeres in the 63rd minute — curled a low shot into the far corner from the edge of the box to complete the turnaround.
Manager Mikel Arteta credited the substitutions for swinging the contest, saying the three players brought leadership, goal threat and the ability to win duels against Leeds' intense man-oriented pressing. "They are extremely well-organised, they are very physical, they are committed in everything that they do," Arteta said of the visitors.
Title race heats up
The victory takes Arsenal to 15 points, level with City but behind on goal difference, with the leaders travelling to Liverpool on Sunday. It was a timely response from Arteta's men, whose last outing before the international break had ended in a 3-0 defeat at Brighton. Leeds stay fifth on nine points.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Chelsea thrashed Bournemouth 5-1, Manchester United were held 1-1 by ten-man Tottenham after Dominic Solanke's stoppage-time equaliser, Brighton won 2-0 at Sunderland to climb to third, and Ipswich snatched a late 2-1 win over Fulham.
Sources:
Guimaraes grabs winner as Arsenal rally to beat Leeds — Reuters
Arteta's Arsenal survive scare to see off feisty Leeds — Reuters
Arsenal vs Leeds United player ratings — Sportstar
Leeds, who arrived in London unbeaten in the league, frustrated the champions for the opening 45 minutes and then stunned the home crowd ten minutes after the restart, when James Justin slammed home a clever pull-back from Gabriel Gudmundsson to give the visitors a deserved lead.
Substitutes turn the tide
Arsenal's response was swift. Seven minutes after falling behind, Riccardo Calafiori rose to steer Ben White's knock-down past the Leeds goalkeeper and level the scores. Then, in the 70th minute, substitute Bruno Guimaraes — introduced as part of a triple change alongside Jurrien Timber and Viktor Gyokeres in the 63rd minute — curled a low shot into the far corner from the edge of the box to complete the turnaround.
Manager Mikel Arteta credited the substitutions for swinging the contest, saying the three players brought leadership, goal threat and the ability to win duels against Leeds' intense man-oriented pressing. "They are extremely well-organised, they are very physical, they are committed in everything that they do," Arteta said of the visitors.
Title race heats up
The victory takes Arsenal to 15 points, level with City but behind on goal difference, with the leaders travelling to Liverpool on Sunday. It was a timely response from Arteta's men, whose last outing before the international break had ended in a 3-0 defeat at Brighton. Leeds stay fifth on nine points.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Chelsea thrashed Bournemouth 5-1, Manchester United were held 1-1 by ten-man Tottenham after Dominic Solanke's stoppage-time equaliser, Brighton won 2-0 at Sunderland to climb to third, and Ipswich snatched a late 2-1 win over Fulham.
Sources:
Guimaraes grabs winner as Arsenal rally to beat Leeds — Reuters
Arteta's Arsenal survive scare to see off feisty Leeds — Reuters
Arsenal vs Leeds United player ratings — Sportstar
