Arsenal 2-1 Leeds: 4 positives and negatives

Negative #1 – Poor Conversion Rates

It should never have allowed to get as nervy as it did on Sunday. Leeds went up the other end, got their first corner, had their first shot in the match, and scored. Sod’s law, or a lack of cutting edge?

Not having Emile Smith Rowe on the pitch might have had some say in the matter, as while you can’t take Martinelli or Saka out of the team for the derby, being the strong finisher he is there is a solid chance one of the chances made against Leeds gets tucked away.

Presentable opportunities for Martinelli and Odegaard went begging, chances that could have put the game to bed much earlier and allowed Arsenal to stroll through the game all the way until the final whistle.

Being unable to properly convert has been one of the side’s big issues this season. That’s something that near enough every manager up and down the country will point to, yet it in the Gunners’ case it has resulted in unnecessarily nervy finishes to matches.

Only Wolves have won more matches by a single goal margin than Arsenal this season (10), with the spirit of George Graham’s sides very much alive in this group.

Mostly this is down to having no capable striker, as well as young players still developing their technique, but it was the standout issue in a game where thankfully the result came through.