Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta
Arsenal fought back from 1-0 down at the Emirates Stadium to claim a 2-1 win over Leeds United and level at the top of the Premier League for at least 24 hours.
The Gunners fell behind to a James Justin goal in the 55th minute, but bounced back thanks to goals from Riccardo Calafiori and substitute Bruno Guimaraes to claim all three points, as Mikel Arteta's side ensured they responded well to defeat against Brighton before the international break.
Arsenal found themselves with a strong starting lineup despite a number of injury issues being raised during the international break, as Arteta opted to name all of Ezri Konsa, Declan Rice, and Kai Havertz in the side from the start.
That meant there was no place in the side for the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Jurrien Timber, or Eberechi Eze. Arsenal started the game very slowly, despite having lots of possession, and failed to create much before they went 1-0 down.
But the depth they have available to them proved crucial as they came from behind, and it seems as though the manager may now have a big decision to make on his team for the upcoming games following the performance of some stars he had kept around.
One of those was striker Havertz, but his form for the rest of the season has been good, and he can be allowed a blip, considering he is the usual first-choice option. But at right-back, Ben White has been somewhat of a placeholder for Timber in recent months, and may now have given the Netherlands star the chance to take his place back in the side.
White was handed a starting role at right-back but struggled massively against the Leeds press in the first half in particular, giving possession away 11 times in the opening 45 minutes - more than anyone else on the pitch.
He got better in the second half, but still managed to lose possession twice more before he was substituted in the 62nd minute. He also completed just 1/6 long pass attempts (17%), made zero successful crosses, won just 1/3 tackles, and was caught offside twice, according to Sofascore.
He capped his performance with an assist for the equaliser, heading across goal for Calafiori to tap in, but the performance overall was poor from the former England international.
Door Open For Timber To Take His Spot Back
Jurrien Timber
Jurrien Timber
Arsenal have got one of the strongest and deepest squads in Europe, and it showed with the bench they had for the game against Leeds.
Timber had the first-choice right-back position locked down before he suffered a hamstring injury at the back-end of last season, and he has been pushing to recover ever since, even missing the World Cup as a result.
After he came on against Leeds, the Whites failed to make any sort of attacking threat down his side, and he was able to keep possession well to sustain attacks. It was a strong performance, and he has now given himself every opportunity to get back into the team.
Arsenal will take on Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday before a trip to Nottingham Forest next Sunday, and it would be a real shock to see White keep his place in the side for those if Timber is fit and ready to go.