Guimaraes Strikes as Arsenal Fight Back to Beat Leeds 2-1

Arsenal came from a goal down to beat Leeds United 2-1 at the Emirates in the Premier League on Saturday afternon. 

Declan Rice set up the winner for substitute Bruno Guimaraes, after Riccardo Calafiori had levelled the game earlier in the half.

The win moves the champions closer to leaders Manchester City, who stay top on goal difference. City travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday at 16:30 WAT.

A Slow Start and a Shock Opener

Arsenal began the season with four straight wins and let in only one goal. Then came a 3-0 loss to Brighton, and they had the whole three-week international break to think about it.

The first half did not help the mood. It ended 0-0, with both sides on 0.41 expected goals. Leeds were well organised at the back and brave going forward, and they deserved their goal when it came 10 minutes after the break. Gabriel Gudmundsson pulled the ball back and James Justin smashed it in from close range in the 55th minute. The away fans went wild. Leeds had not won a league game at Arsenal since May 2003.

The Comeback

Arsenal looked flat and unsettled, but they hit back quickly. Ben White kept a deep cross alive and Calafiori arrived in the box to fire home with his left foot in the 62nd minute.

Mikel Arteta then made a triple change in the 63rd minute. Jurrien Timber, Viktor Gyokeres and £75m summer signing Guimaraes all came on, and the mood at a restless Emirates changed straight away. Eight minutes later Rice slipped a pass into the right channel. Guimaraes took it and finished low to the far post from the edge of the box, at the end of a flowing move. Referee Paul Tierney later booked Martin Odegaard for time wasting as Arsenal shut the game down.

What the Numbers Say

The stats back up the turnaround. Arsenal had 58% of the ball and 2.58 expected goals to Leeds' 0.68, and they had 34 touches in the Leeds box to 16. They put six of their 13 shots on target, while Leeds hit the target with five of 11. Arsenal also created four big chances to Leeds' three.

Leeds still had their bright spots. Goalkeeper James Trafford made four saves and was rated 7.7 by Sofascore. Gudmundsson swung in six crosses and made two key passes, one of them setting up Justin's goal. Midfielder Anton Stach won eight duels and three tackles.