Arsenal 2-1 Leeds United · Premier League · Emirates Stadium · 10 October 2026
Three weeks to sit with the Amex, and then this: a lunchtime kick-off against the only side in the division still unbeaten. For an hour it went exactly the way you feared.
An Hour of Nothing, Then Everything
Five shots in fifty-five minutes. That was the sum of the first hour, and Leeds were comfortable. Then James Justin arrived unmarked at the back post from a Gudmundsson cross on 55, and the Emirates got very quiet.
What followed was five shots in fifteen minutes. Riccardo Calafiori equalised on 62, tapping in Ben White's cutback after Noni Madueke had worked the ball wide. Eight minutes later Bruno Guimarães took Declan Rice's flick from an Ødegaard pass and put it in the bottom corner. Game turned, and Leeds had no answer to it.
Guimarães had come off the bench. That matters, because it was the substitutions that shifted this one rather than anything Arteta's starters found on their own.
Arteta on the Mixture
"We got into a situation losing 1-0 at home after a defeat, 12.30pm kick-off, it is a bad mixture. We got out through pinching our desire to win and showing personality."
He is right that it was a bad mixture, and he is right that the way out of it was character rather than control. Not every week needs to be pretty.
Where That Leaves Us
Five wins and a defeat, level on points with Manchester City at the top. Leeds lose in the league for the first time this season and will feel they deserved more from the hour they dominated.
Lille at home on Tuesday, then Forest away on the Sunday.
Man of the Match: Noni Madueke 🏴
Three chances created and five crosses from six completed, including the one that led to the equaliser. Sky gave their official award to Calafiori for the goal, which is fair, but Madueke was the reason there was anything to finish.
Image Credits https://www.arsenal.com/news/28-great-photos-from-our-comeback-win-over-leeds-agY9w4p11S74