Arsenal show cracks for first time this season in victory at Leeds

The above title may appear a little strange. Arsenal have already been beaten this season, so how could Sunday’s game at Elland Road – a game which they won – be the first example of a few fissures marking the Gunners’ imperious exterior?

Well, many supporters came out of the 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford feeling pretty good about Mikel Arteta’s side. The Gunners impressed in defeat, and they might’ve grabbed at least a point hadn’t the boss panicked with a triple substitution with 15 minutes remaining. Arsenal were well in the game at 2-1.

So, there wasn’t too much to be concerned about. However, the same can’t be said regarding the second-half showing at Leeds on Sunday. Jesse Marsch’s side were utterly dominant in defeat with Bukayo Saka’s first-half strike proving to be the unlikely winner.

Arsenal show cracks for first time this season in victory at Leeds

It was a chaotic contest; one that was delayed by 40 minutes due to a power cut which meant referee Chris Kavanagh and his match officials lost contact with the video assistant referee and goalline technology.

“That delay was worth it,” said a relieved Arteta post-match. The Spaniard had just seen his side escape with all three points as Leeds’ xG totalled 2.02 in comparison to Arsenal’s 0.82.

The first half was well-balanced, with the hosts having success stifling the Gunners in their 4-3-3 mid-block which relied upon aggression in midfield and several pressing triggers to thwart the confident visitors. The Gunners had more joy the higher Leeds pressed in the opening period, but that certainly wasn’t the case after half-time.

The coolest of them all William Saliba was shackled by the tenacious Patrick Bamford, who was introduced at half-time and would serve as the protagonist of the second half. The French defender struggled to connect the dots in Arsenal’s build-up as a concerted effort was made to slow down Thomas Partey in midfield through tight man-marking and savvy screening.

Leeds’ intensity, which only seemed to increase, was simply too much for a side that had made the trip to and from northern Norway in the week. Arsenal’s aggression without the ball was tame, and the hosts created chances at will against a defensive line that dropped deeper as the contest wore on.

"“‘We were better on the day, but we’re walking away with nothing. So again, we’ve got to find ways to take the good things and have it add up to results,” said Jesse Marsch post-match."

In the end, the Gunners had Bamford’s profligacy and Aaron Ramsdale to thank for holding onto all three points. But concerns should be raised over whether Sunday was the first example of a congested schedule hampering the Gunners as opposed to the performance being a mere anomaly. The display certainly contrasted the exuberance and slickness – which manifested in snippets – of the opening nine Premier League games.

Nevertheless, while there were some concerns, Arteta’s side once again showed plenty of guts to grind out a tough win on the road. Elland Road is not an easy place to visit, and Leeds have already taken three points off Chelsea at the start of 2022/23. More ‘big’ teams will struggle in West Yorkshire this season, especially if Marsch’s side play with that sort of ebullience.

For Arsenal, Sunday’s triumph wasn’t significant because it opened up a four-point gap at the top of the Premier League table, no. We have to remember what the primary goal is this season: a top-four finish. We can dream of a title charge, but such aspirations are optimistic. We are not Manchester City, but we’re a very good side that deserves to be playing in Europe’s premier club competition next year.

Sunday was a big victory for that cause, but the performance depicted the work in progress that Arteta’s side still are after two months of brilliance.

Arsenal are still rolling… for now.