Arsenal fight back to beat Leeds, draw level with Man City
Arsenal came from behind to beat Leeds United 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, moving level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Second-half goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes secured a fifth victory in six league matches for Mikel Arteta’s side, who returned from the three-week international break with a hard-fought win.
Leeds had threatened to cause an upset after James Justin gave the visitors the lead in the 55th minute, but Arsenal responded with two goals to complete the turnaround.
The hosts struggled to find their rhythm during a frustrating first half as Daniel Farke’s well-organised Leeds side restricted their attacking opportunities.
Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke found little space against a disciplined defence, leaving Arsenal with just one shot on target before the interval.
Leeds, meanwhile, created several promising chances, with goalkeeper David Raya denying Jayden Bogle from close range before producing another save to keep out Gabriel Gudmundsson.
The visitors continued to threaten after the restart, with Raya forced to tip over an effort from midfielder Ao Tanaka.
Their pressure eventually paid off when Justin converted Gudmundsson’s cross from inside the penalty area, putting Leeds ahead after a flowing attacking move.
However, Arsenal restored parity seven minutes later when Calafiori finished past goalkeeper James Trafford following a pass from Ben White.
The equaliser lifted the home side, who began to dominate possession and create opportunities against an increasingly stretched Leeds defence.
Substitute Guimaraes completed the comeback with a powerful finish following an impressive attacking move involving Saka, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.
Leeds pushed for another goal but were unable to find a way through as Arsenal protected their narrow advantage.
The result takes Arsenal to 15 points, level with Manchester City but behind their title rivals on goal difference.
City, who have a game in hand, face Liverpool on Sunday amid renewed scrutiny following a ruling that found the club guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
For Arsenal, the victory provides an important boost to their title ambitions after their unbeaten start to the campaign was ended by a 3-0 defeat against Brighton last month.