Noni Madueke justified his surprise start on the left wing as Arsenal came from behind to beat Leeds 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium, with Bruno Guimaraes scoring the winner after coming off the bench.
The match was Arsenal's first home game in 34 days, following the international break. Leeds were dogged opponents and Arsenal were sloppy hosts, with groans from the stands leading to Mikel Arteta turning to the crowd and waving his arm in frustration.
Madueke justifies Arteta decision
Madueke had not started on the left wing since the opening months of last season. Christos Tzolis' hamstring injury opened up an opportunity, and after working with Arteta at the training ground over the international break, Madueke was given the shirt.
He was Arsenal's best attacker in the first 45 minutes. Madueke skipped past Jayden Bogle on the outside, stood up a cross, and Kai Havertz's header was saved by James Trafford. His pace provided a point of difference to the attack, and his cut-back found Martin Odegaard for a big chance after the break. His curling cross to the back post then created the equaliser.
Rusty Arsenal take their time
Arsenal looked rusty, particularly in possession. Passes were loose and runs were not timed, with the team caught offside three times in the first seven minutes. The match had a lethargic, low-key feel for much of the first half.
Declan Rice looked particularly leggy, despite having three weeks off. For Leeds' goal, he did not track the runner as he normally does. Rice grew into the game, and only in the final 30 minutes was he making his trademark bursts forward or sliding in to halt Leeds' attack.
Guimaraes thrives in choppy waters
Guimaraes came on just after the hour mark and transformed how Arsenal played. His nutmeg won a free-kick, which he had awarded himself and already taken by the time the referee's whistle had left his mouth. That started a move that saw Declan Rice flick a pass into Guimaraes' path, and he found the bottom corner perfectly.
This was his second match-defining contribution off the bench this season, after a stunning strike against Sunderland last month. Since then, Guimaraes had made his first league start for Arsenal and struggled against Brighton's intensity.
