Arsenal survive Leeds scare as Arteta inspired triple substitution sparks Premier League comeback win

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Bruno Guimaraes celebrate after the match. (Reuters Photo) Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal survived a major scare against wild Leeds United to return to winning ways in the Premier League, recovering from a second-half deficit to claim a 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.After struggling to break down a well-organised Leeds defense for much of the first half, Arsenal fell behind in the 55th minute when James Justin fired home after Gabriel Gudmundsson’s cross found its way across the penalty area.But Riccardo Calafiori restored parity seven minutes later before substitute Bruno Guimaraes completed the comeback in the 70th minute to spare Arsenal the prospect of a second successive league defeat.The win was a timely response to Arsenal’s disappointing 0-3 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in their final game before the international break. It also provided the perfect celebration after Arteta signed a contract extension earlier in the week.

Leeds test Arsenal’s patience

Leeds frustrated the hosts with disciplined defending and threatened on the counter-attack, making life difficult for an Arsenal side struggling to turn promising attacking positions into clear-cut opportunities.“They are extremely well organized, they are very physical, they are dedicated in everything they do,” Arteta told TNT Sports.The Arsenal manager admitted his side did not make the most of their attacking opportunities in the first half, conceding too many free-kicks, throw-ins and set-pieces.“When you don’t finish the action and we hit some great areas in the first half to have a lot more end product than us and we lost the ball just before the last action and when that happens and they have moments to run they are a threat,” he explained.Calafiori’s equaliser, which came after Ben White sent the ball back across goal, shifted the momentum. It was the Italian defender’s sixth goal for Arsenal but his first at the Emirates.

Arteta’s triple change turns the tide

Arteta’s decision to introduce Guimaraes, Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber in the 63rd minute proved decisive, injecting new energy, physicality and attacking intent.The winner arrived seven minutes later after a quickly taken free-kick led to a neat pass, with Declan Rice setting up Guimaraes to drive the ball into the bottom left corner from outside.“We bring a lot of leadership in those three players – we bring goal threat, we bring people who can win duels because it was very man-orientated, people who can get away from it, people who can play forward and penetrate,” Arteta said.The result moved Arsenal level on points with Manchester City at the top of the table ahead of City’s game against Liverpool on Sunday.After weeks without his full squad during the international break, Arteta was relieved to see his players react.“We responded incredibly well. We really need to enjoy the win because we realize how this Premier League is going to go,” he said.