England: Arsenal overturn Leeds (2-1) before hosting Lille

Shaken and breathless for an hour, the reigning champions Arsenal accelerated to overturn Leeds (2-1) and avoid a second consecutive defeat in the Premier League, on Saturday three days before hosting Lille in the Champions League.

The Gunners put behind them the heavy 3-0 defeat suffered at Brighton before the long international break and retain their second place with 15 points, the same total as the leader Manchester City, who are expected in Liverpool on Sunday during this 6th matchday.

Leeds (5th, 9 pts) led, showed a nice face at the Emirates before slowing down and conceding their first defeat of the season.

The Gunners' attack, meanwhile, was largely ineffective even though all the usual starters were present, with the exception of left winger Christos Tzolis, who was unavailable and replaced by Noni Madueke.

The English dribbler distinguished himself with several crosses, notably for Kai Havertz (21st) and Martin Odegaard (51st), and it was from one of these that Arsenal equalized, after a pass from Ben White from the far post to Riccardo Calafiori (62nd, 1-1).

The Italian defender allowed Emirates, who had been holding their breath until now, to breathe a little easier.

Leeds had been the better team up to that point, thanks to excellent defensive and collective discipline, remarkable physical commitment, all ingredients that made them very threatening.

David Raya had to make a save on a powerful shot from Gabriel Gudmundsson, from a tight angle (44th), then clear a shot from Ao Tanaka that was going under his crossbar (53rd).

On the opening goal, he was too short to intercept a cross from Gudmundsson and James Justin took advantage of a powerful shot, only deflected into his net by Gabriel (55th, 0-1).

Fortunately for him, the Gunners accelerated after the hour mark and put intense pressure on the Whites, who were on borrowed time after a wayward shot from Calafiori (67th minute), and condemned after the goal from substitute Bruno Guimaraes (70th minute, 2-1).

AFP