Mikel Arteta ’s jubilant reaction at the final whistle of this bonkers game said it all.
He punched the air and hugged his technical staff like they had just won the league because he knew this was a big, big victory. Arteta’s winning machine so nearly came unstuck at Elland Road and Leeds deserved at least for their display and they dominated the second half but missed a penalty.
The Gunners just about held on to thanks to a combination of Aaron Ramsdale ’s heroics in goal, Gabriel’s resolute defending, VAR and luck. They survived a scare in stoppage time when referee Chris Kavanagh sent off Gabriel and awarded Leeds a second spot-kick before he overturned his decisions after viewing the pitchside monitor.
