Match report – Player ratings – Arteta reaction Arsenal got back to winning ways yesterday after a difficult 2-1 win over Leeds. There was a bit of a surprise in the starting XI with Noni Madueke preferred to Eberechi Eze on the left, while Kai Havertz started up front when the prevailing wisdom was this was a game for Viktor Gyokeres. I don’t think it’s unfair to say this was a performance that felt very much like a 12.30 kick off after a three week Interlull. Which isn’t to make any excuses, but it was something the manager spoke about afterwards, and even Riccardo Calafiori referenced the fact they’d only had a couple of training sessions which make it more difficult. Nevertheless, we weren’t really at it in the first half. The best we could muster were a couple of Kai Havertz headers which really didn’t threaten much, while up the other end Leeds looked far more dangerous. Bukayo Saka blocked a shot which went ended up drifting just wide, they had an chance at the back post which ended up being blocked by another Leeds player, before Raya had to make a close range save from Jayden Bogle, and then when the Arsenal goalkeeper came to punch a corner away and didn’t quite make good contact he had to scramble back to prevent a looping header going over the line. A better pass would later have seen Anton Stach have the just the Arsenal keeper to beat with the centre-halves exposed, and just before the break there was time and space for Gabriel Gudmundsson to smash a back post shot on target but Raya was there again to make the save. Early in the second half we had a decent sight of goal when Madueke fed Martin Odegaard on the edge of the box but the finish lacked conviction, and a few moments later we fell behind. Leeds worked the ball down their left, Raya dived to try and cut out the cross but missed, the ball fell to James Justin who finished well despite the best efforts of Gabriel to block it on the line. I don’t think Madueke covered himself in glory either, walking and watching the goalscorer drive into the space from where he scored isn’t a good look at all. That was his man, and he should have been more aware. At that point we were sloppy and careless on the ball, repeatedly giving it back to Leeds when typically we’d retain it and build pressure. But then we sparked into life and found an equaliser. Madueke crossed to the back post, Ben White headed it back into the danger area, and Calafiori was on hand with smart movement and anticipation to knock it home from close range. After which, it was like someone flicked a switch. The manager made a triple change, with Bruno Guimaraes, Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber replacing Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz and White, and the changes worked. Bruno in particular had a big influence in midfield above and beyond scoring the fine goal that would win the game, and it felt like a big momentum shift. The crowd were up, the team reacted to that energy, and it helped us find that second goal. What a nice one it was too, and it was interesting to see the way the Arsenal players took up unusual positions in the build up. Saka has drifted from the right to a kind of inside-left position, Declan Rice is between the lines of defence and midfield where you expect a number 10 to be, Odegaard has dropped deep to pick up the ball and dictate play, while Guimaraes is ostensibly the anchor man. The captain and Saka combine well, Rice comes across to take a pass and then flicks it smartly to the Brazilian who fires home into the bottom corner from just inside the D. Bruno Guimaraes goal v Leeds October 10th 2026 After that, we more or less stayed on top with nearly 60% possession until full-time, taking six shots to Leeds’ one. We should probably have scored more too. Brilliant work from Rice in their box almost fashioned a chance for Odegaard but for a touch from a defender, Gyokeres caught the keeper miles out of his goal but decided to try and run around him rather than shoot, then right at the death the striker sent Saka clean through but he didn’t really look confident and Trafford made a save from a situation we really should have scored from. It would have added some icing to the cake, to be fair, but on a day when he struggled generally, it would have been useful icing for Saka. Afterwards, the manager was pleased with the result, while acknowledging the performance wasn’t quite at the level we might have hoped: We knew it was going to be really tough. We are coming from three weeks without 16 players and after a heavy defeat, and we had all these things in the tummy. We weren’t pleased about what we did against Brighton, and today was an opportunity to put that right. To really prove that we are made of something that is special and unique. And we certainly reacted in a manner that we expected. As I said above, I think it’s fair to apply the context to the performance. We looked a bit rusty and we paid the price for that when Leeds scored. Our attacking play wasn’t really at the right level, especially in the first half and overall I thought Saka and Havertz struggled, while Madueke on the left was busy and effective at times, but typically frustrating at others. There was too much that wasn’t right, and I understand criticism of that completely. At the same time though, you have to credit the team for their perseverance and character. We came from behind against difficult opposition and found a way to win. We dug out the equaliser then scored a fantastic goal which ultimately helped us to three points. So, while we can pore over individuals and a collective display which obviously has room for improvement, the fact we can do so with the three points under our belts is very pleasing. Your mileage may vary on whether you think this was Arsenal getting away with it a bit or demonstrating why we’re champions. I tend to think it’s more the latter than the former, but hopefully it’s a useful building block for midweek and beyond. Speaking of which, it will be interesting to see how the manager uses his squad for that one. Eze didn’t get off the bench, Gyokeres came into the game with four goals in four games for Sweden and still couldn’t get a start despite the fact Havertz had an injury during the break, and an opportunity for both of those players to give Arteta something to think about was eschewed. We need these players, and it’s the manager’s job to get them going, so I’ll be very interested to see who he picks against Lille. I don’t think anyone in that front three did enough yesterday to copper-fasten their position for the next game, so let’s see what he decides for Tuesday. Right, I’ll leave it there for now, but we will have an Arsecast Extra for you a bit later on today. We’ve already put out the call for questions on BlueSky @gunnerblog.bsky.social and @arseblog.com, so fire away using the hashtag #arsecastextra – or if you’re an Arseblog Member on Patreon, leave your question in the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server. The pod should be out around around 1 or so. Until then, have a good one. The post Arsenal 2-1 Leeds: Calafiori and Guimaraes help Gunners turn it around appeared first on Arseblog ... an Arsenal blog.