Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Leeds United threatened to spring a shock against Arsenal in the lunchtime Saturday kick-off, before throwing away their advantage to lose 2-1 after a James Trafford goalkeeping error.
A composed first-half performance saw Leeds go as close to opening the scoring as Mikel Arteta's men, when Gabriel Gudmundsson was kept out by David Raya just before the break.
James Justin would make no mistake 10 minutes into the second half, arriving late into the Arsenal box to smash home Gudmundsson's wonderful cross from the left, which had cut Raya out of the picture, via the head of a desperate Gabriel attempt to clear on the line.
However, the lead would only last seven minutes as Ricardo Califriori equalised from close range from Ben White's headed ball back into the six-yard box, which Trafford would have expected to do a lot more with other than limply parry it into the roof of his own net.
That proved to be the spark which the undercooked champions were looking for as momentum decisively switched and the hosts' quality started to shine through. Bruno Guimaraes soon fired Arsenal ahead in the 70th minute, low into the bottom corner from the edge of the Leeds box, and Leeds never seriously looked like wrestling anything back after that.
Gudmundsson excellent as Trafford hands Arteta get out of jail free card
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James Trafford - E
For an hour the England international looked every bit the number one that Leeds would have banked on when they paid big money to give him a fresh start after being usurped by Gianluigi Donnarumma on his return to Manchester City. He had looked good when his goal was under threat, with his key save down low from Martin Odegaard minutes before the opener appearing to have provided the platform for a shock result.
But his weak attempt to keep out Calafiori's close-range header undercut all that previous work and completely turned the tide of the match, giving Arsenal a soft route back in and the confidence they had been lacking. An embarrassing late sequence saw him dispossessed outside his box and lucky not to give away a third goal.
Tarik Muharemović - B
Leeds came into the game with the joint-best Premier League defence so far this term, conceding just three times. It was not hard to see why during an impressive first half as Muharemovic and company thwarted anything that came their way. Caught out as Calafiori was left free to equalise, even if that should have been kept out, and looked more desperate in the face of the rejuvenated hosts thereafter.
Nico Elvedi - B
Much like his defensive partners, the Swiss was enjoying a solid outing and injecting obvious doubt into the minds of a frustrated Arsenal side on their return from an extended international break. Quality dipped late on.
James Justin - B
An eventful afternoon for Justin who briefly looked like being the man to bring about Leeds' first win at The Emirates. Caught out a couple of times as he looked to push out of the back three and support Bogle down the right, but he was vindicated when he was in the right place at the right time, supporting an attacking move to make no mistake in firing Gudmundsson's inviting ball home. Sacrificed late as Farke went in search of an equaliser.
Gabriel Gudmundsson - A
Excellent day overall for the Swede. Exemplified everything that was good about the Leeds performance and registered a deserved assist for Justin's goal. Tireless down the left and went close himself with a powerful attempt parried just before the break. His energy and industry provided a regular threat going forward and harried the off-colour Gunners for much of the afternoon. Unlucky to ultimately come away empty handed.
Ao Tanaka - B
A microcosm of Leeds' day. Known for his comfort on the ball the Japanese international was a combative presence in the middle and a big part of the operation to disrupt the champions at home. Picked up a booking for his troubles and went close from distance after the interval as a key performer while the visitors were shining, but quickly faded as the momentum turned and his manager acted fast to replace him.
Ethan Ampadu - B
Always a key man for Farke and half of a crucial partnership with Tanaka throughout the action as the Whites matched Arsenal and looked to be turning the screw. Gave opponents no time on the ball but could do very little to stem the tide once control was lost in the second half.
Jayden Bogle - B
Looked less impressive when compared to Gudmundsson's performance on the opposite flank but still played his part in unsettling the Gunners for most of the afternoon, pushing them back by getting high up the pitch to support attacks.
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Noah Okafor - D
Nondescript outing for the attacker who saw one deflected effort from the edge of the box go narrowly wide in the opening exchanges as a warning of the threat the Whites would carry for an hour, but little else of note and quickly removed by Farke once Arsenal went ahead.
Anton Stach - C
Played the full 90 minutes and put himself about during a positive first half but faded significantly after the break in a forward unit which saw most of the best attacking moments come from wing-backs and central midfielders.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - C
Little to speak of in terms of a real goal threat on a day where Leeds genuinely looked like coming away with an excellent result for much of the match. Would surely have benefited from gaps opening up late on if Arsenal were forced to chase the game but quiet outside of hold-up play and occupying defenders.
SUBSTITUTES
Harry Wilson - D
Brought on by Farke in an attempt to inject an attacking threat back into a game that was suddenly running away from Leeds but didn't really have any effect.
Brenden Aaronson - D
Came on alongside Wilson but with little impact, as none of the manager's substitutions had the desired effect.
Lukas Nmecha - N/A
Jaka Bijol - N/A
Jean-Matteo Bahoya - N/A
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Leeds Report Card vs Arsenal
Player
James Trafford
Tarik Muharemovic
Nico Elvedi
James Justin
Gabriel Gudmundsson
Ethan Ampadu
Ao Tanaka
Jayden Bogle
Noah Okafor
Anton Stach
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Harry Wilson
Brendan Aaronson
Lukas Nmecha
Jaka Bijol
Jean-Matteo Bahoya
Leeds manager Daniel Farke claps supporters
Leeds manager Daniel Farke claps supporters