Christos Tzolis has an underrated quality Arsenal desperately missed against Leeds

Arsenal managed to scrape their way past Leeds United on Saturday afternoon, but it certainly wasn't pretty.

For 60 minutes, the Gunners were well below par. They struggled to break through the Whites' aggressive press, found it difficult to create good shooting opportunities and their defence was breached a bit too easily on a handful of occasions.

However, the championic spirit within Mikel Arteta's players shone through as they stepped up in the final half-hour to salvage the three points. A ten-minute blitz carried by the monstrous Declan Rice, the busy Martin Odegaard and the imperious Bruno Guimaraes established the home team the lead, before they saw the game out with typical assurance.

The first hour will concern Arteta somewhat, although some of these concerns can be dismissed by personnel issues. Noni Madueke being deployed in an awkward left-wing role, in place of Christos Tzolis, certainly had an impact on the Gunners, although not in the way many might have thought.

Noni Madueke did an adequate job on the left vs Leeds

Most assumed Eberechi Eze would step in for Tzolis against Leeds, but Arteta opted for an unconventional replacement for the Greek. Madueke, who failed to impress in his handful of appearances off the left last season, stepped in and did a susprisingly adequate job.

With the former Chelsea man not away with England over the international break, Arteta likely spent a few weeks working with the wide man as a left-sided attacker. Given the paucity of options for Arsenal on this flank, it made sense for the Spaniard to experiment with something new in a home game against Leeds.

While he wasn't spectacular in this role, Madueke effectively held the width and offered Arsenal a reliable outlet on this side, giving the Gunners an exit plan for Leeds' press. He needs to improve how he dribbles on this side, as the angles don't really suit him, but it did simplify his game to an extent, seeing him create a couple of good chances with some positive, direct play.

It wasn't perfect, but Madueke has given Arteta another viable option on this side.

Arsenal still missed Christos Tzolis for his defensive work

Arteta showered Madueke with praise after the game, but underneath this obvious confidence-boosting ploy, the Gunners boss may have been frustrated with the 24-year-old's role in Leeds' goal.

Daniel Farke's team built play nicely down the left, before switching the ball across goal to the right, where James Justin was on hand to sweep in the opener. When analysing what Arsenal did wrong defensively, Riccardo Calafiori got caught in two minds and opted to follow the more central runner, leaving space at the back post for Justin.

Usually, Arsenal's left-winger would be tasked with tracking this deep run from the opposition's right centre-back (in a back three system). However, Madueke was caught upfield, failing to track back and prevent Justin from scoring.

This isn't necessarily an egregious defensive lapse from Madueke. Asking your winger to follow the opposition's right centre-back all the way into your own box is asking a lot. However, Arsenal's left-wingers under Arteta usually carry out these immense defensive duties.

This is where the Gunners missed Tzolis on Saturday. The new signing has been outstanding at following late runs and helping Calafiori out defensively so far this season. How many times have you seen him sprinting back to cut off a pass to a marauding full-back at the back post?

This has been an underrated aspect of Tzolis' performances, and Arsenal arguably wouldn't have gone a goal down had he been on the pitch.

That said, maybe the Gunners needed to concede this goal to kick them into life.

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