Arsenal defensive creativity instrumental in dismantling Leeds

We certainly do not make life easy for ourselves! After experiencing some disappointing defeats in recent league trips to the midlands, Arsenal resisted the threat of a Newcastle-esque capitulation as they got back on the winning trail on Sunday, seeing off Leeds United in a highly-entertaining 4-2 victory at the Emirates.

In stark contrast to the Leeds dominance we witnessed at Elland Road earlier this season, this time it was Mikel Arteta who came out on top over the venerable Marcelo Bielsa, courtesy of some fascinating tactical innovations including the selection of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the No. 9 role and the debut appearance of an Emile Smith Rowe/Martin Odegaard midfield pairing.

However, perhaps one of the most compelling and influential aspects of the performance was the creative role afforded to our centre-back partnership for the evening; Gabriel and David Luiz. Having recognised the danger posed by the visitors’ industrious midfield in the reverse fixture, the boss successfully stifled them on this occasion by giving his Brazilian duo responsibility for initiating attacks.

Thanks to the competence of both players in possession and their numerical advantage over Patrick Bamford in the defensive third, the pair had frequent opportunities to drive into the midfield and play penetrating passes into pockets of space, regularly finding Smith Rowe and Odegaard on the turn – even if Luiz lost possession of the ball 21 times – which led to the creation of a number of promising goal-scoring situations.

Arsenal centre-back pairing plays key role in comprehensive win against Leeds United

As they began to figure out Arsenal’s game plan, Leeds tried to mitigate the centre-back threat by using Stuart Dallas and Mateusz Klich to obstruct Luiz and Gabriel’s marauding runs, but this response only furthered the dominance of Arteta’s side on the match. Getting sucked into the Gunners trap, the away side’s pressing subsequently vacated space for Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos to exploit and they each caused numerous problems for the back-peddling defensive unit, ending the night with an assist apiece.

Considering how regular starters such as Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe were both rested at the weekend, and with key figures like Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey still out of action due to their respective injuries, Arteta’s resourcefulness and tactical adaptations demonstrate previously-unseen firepower and flexibility among the Arsenal ranks, something that could prove very important if we are to compete against teams of varying styles on both the European and domestic scene.

After enduring a run of three games without victory, this win keeps us in the hunt for a European spot and provides a significant confidence boost for a team that, until recently, had been experiencing huge issues in the creative department.

Now looking more cohesive than ever, that should serve them well in their preparations for Thursday’s crunch Europa League tie against Benfica in Rome.