Arsenal survived a late scare to move four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table with a gritty win over Leeds United which underlined their title credentials on Sunday.
With City not in action against Liverpool until 4.30pm, the hard-fought narrow victory, their ninth of 10 league games this season, was exactly what the doctor ordered - but it was far from straightforward.
After a lengthy delay caused by a power outage at Elland Road, Arsenal took the lead through the in-form Bukayo Saka. Played in by Martin Odegaard, Saka was not phased by a tight angle, blasting into the roof of the net to score for the third straight Arsenal game and make it 1-0.
Leeds pressed and harried the Gunners throughout and looked dangerous, particularly through Luis Sinisterra, but it took until after the break for the game to turn. Patrick Bamford’s introduction gave them a focal point and the home side pinned Arsenal in.
But Bamford could not make the most of his ample opportunities. He dragged his penalty agonisingly wide after William Saliba was penalised by VAR for a handball and spurned a few presentable one-on-one chances against Aaron Ramsdale.
Leeds kept pushing and Crysencio Summerville could have snatched a point with a late chance, but he blasted over a cutback. There was still time for even more drama as referee Chris Kavanagh initially sent Gabriel off and awarded Leeds a second penalty for kicking out at Bamford.
But after consulting the pitchside monitor he opted to overturn his decision because Bamford had pushed Gabriel to the ground in the build-up. It was a huge reprieve for Arsenal, who clung onto the points in the most dramatic of circumstances.
Here are Mirror Football's talking points from an engaging and chaotic contest at Elland Road.
1. Game’s reliance on VAR
Even when it’s not making decisions, it seems VAR is still causing controversy – if your name is Richard Keys or Piers Morgan anyway. Just two minutes had been played at Elland Road when referee Kavanagh took the players from the pitch due to a power outage.
Unavoidable, but still VAR’s fault apparently.
“Are we so dependent on technology now that Leeds/ Arsenal can’t be played?” Keys tweeted. “They’ve gone off because the ref has no contact with match centre. 40,000 are sat waiting for something to happen. This isn’t right. Just get on with it.”
“The Leeds/Arsenal game is currently suspended because the referee has lost tech comms contact with an automated system that always gets it wrong anyway. We’ve reached peak VAR hell,” an enraged Morgan added. Game’s gone.
2. Saka on fire
For a player of such talent, Saka had started the season fairly slowly. Coming into October the England star had managed just one goal in 10 games for Arsenal. But he’s hit a real purple patch now, with two goals against Liverpool, one against Bodo/Glimt and now one against Leeds, all earning valuable points for Arteta’s side.
Like many players in the Premier League, Saka’s main threat comes from cutting inside from the right wing onto his stronger left foot. But he showed at Elland Road that he is far more than a one-trick pony.
Odegaard’s pass was good, going in behind Pascal Struijk, but the angle looked to be too fine for a convincing shot on goal. Not to be deterred, Saka put his right foot through the ball, powering it past Illan Meslier and into the roof of the net.
He now has 10 goals and seven assists in the Premier League in 2022 – more than any other Arsenal player – and 26 goals and 24 assists under Arteta, the first player to reach the 50-landmark since he took over. That kind of impact underlines the improvement of Arsenal’s multi-pronged attack.
3. Bamford’s rotten run
Bamford’s last goal for Leeds came in a 2-2 draw with Brentford on December 5, 2021. Having come back from injuries, it just won’t happen for the previously prolific Leeds striker.
Brought on at half-time by Jesse Marsch for Rodrigo, he immediately helped turn the tide, giving Leeds a focal point up front. But as effective as he was in build-up play, he was wasteful in attack, putting his penalty wide, while being denied time and time again by Ramsdale in open play.
There was plenty of endeavour but not enough quality from the English striker, who must be wishing he could have his time back.
4. Arteta’s influence
Arteta’s passion on the touchline has always been evident as Arsenal manager – much to some people’s annoyance – but his in-game management has been less clear. As a student of Pep Guardiola, it was always assumed the Spaniard was a prudent tactician, and these are exactly the kind of games he can prove it.
Before the match Arteta predicted a physical battle against an energetic Leeds and that’s exactly what they got, with Marsch instructing his side to press from the front. That didn’t stop Arsenal from playing out from the back, with the centre-backs still splitting and allowing Ramsdale a lot of time on the ball.
In the aftermath of Saka’s goal, there was another hint of Arteta’s influence as he grabbed Gabriel for a chat on the sidelines. With Leeds pouring forward in the second half after Bamford's penalty miss the Gunners boss did the same thing, this time collaring the entire team.
5. Ramsdale’s impact
As poor as Bamford was in front of goal, Arsenal were indebted to their goalkeeper, who was commanding in the goal, especially when it really mattered in the second half. It now feels like an age since his move from Sheffield United was being questioned by just about everyone.
While his leadership and vocal nature have often been praised it was the rudimentary bits of goalkeeping which impressed on Sunday afternoon. He got down well to push away Struijk’s effort from a scrappy corner in the first half and then began a one-man competition with Bamford in the second period.
One of his saves was made by what co-commentators might refer to as “the unmentionables” – to much amusement from the home crowd – but Ramsdale will surely think it was worth it now.
6. Late chaos
It was all going to plan for Arsenal until Bamford charged into Gabriel and got a response. Gabriel kicked out at the Leeds striker and the referee didn't hesitate, pulling out the red card and awarding a penalty after consulting the linesman.
But as the Elland Road crowd bayed for blood, Kavanagh changed his mind. Replays showed that Bamford had fouled Gabriel and that changed everything.
Gabriel was relieved to see the card and penalty overturned and after a late, late corner which saw Meslier come up from the back, Arsenal clung on.
