Arsenal come from behind to return to winning ways

Arsenal returned to winning ways by coming from behind against Leeds after a difficult first half. At the Emirates, the London side wanted to give their supporters something to cheer after their 3-0 defeat at Brighton, a setback that had stayed with them for almost three weeks.

The match began with Arsenal in control, but Leeds fashioned the first clear chance. The Gunners rarely troubled Trafford before the break. Their slow build-up helped Leeds break forward, and the visitors created their best opportunity just before half-time.

Arteta kept the same players on the field at the start of the second half, and the game looked set to follow a similar pattern. But James Justin’s goal in the 55th minute jolted the match into life. Arsenal wobbled as the visitors made successive forays into their area, before Ben White found Calafiori, who equalised from close range with his side’s first genuinely clear opening.

Arteta’s triple substitution then made its mark. After a flowing move involving Saka, Odegaard and Rice, finished with a backheel from the Englishman, Bruno Guimaraes fired home from the edge of the area to give Arsenal the win. The London side controlled the closing stages. Saka had one last chance in a one-on-one, but Trafford denied him.

The victory comes before Arsenal switch competitions and host Lille in the Champions League.