Sunday, October 16, 2022 at 5:39 PM• Jonathan van Haaster • Last update: 17:59

Arsenal also turned the away game at Leeds United into a win. The Gunners won 0-1 thanks to a goal before halftime by Bukayo Saka. It was striking that the game had to be stopped after a few seconds of play, because referee Chris Kavanagh was unable to contact the VAR due to technical problems and the goal-line technology also failed. Forty-five minutes later, the kick-off was still possible on Elland Road. With the win, Arsenal takes the lead in the Premier League more firmly and it waits to see what Manchester City do later on a visit to Liverpool.

Leeds coach Jesse Marsch had basic places for both Pascal Struijk and Luis Sinisterra. The Colombian’s starting place was at the expense of Patrick Bamford. As a result, Rodrigo, who was still at 10 during the 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace, moved on to the striker position. Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta did not change anything compared to the 3-2 win against Liverpool. In the midweek, Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Ben White were still in the starting lineup against FK Bodø/Glimt (0-1 victory) and they also kicked off on Sunday.

Sinisterra showed itself immediately in the opening phase. The former Feyenoord player decided to lash out and saw his low shot fly just wide of the post. On the other hand, Arsenal loomed through Gabriel Jesus, but his header posed no immediate threat to Leeds. In the twentieth minute Sinisterra was again close to a goal. On a pass from Rodrigo, the winger saw his effort hit the post again. On the other hand, after a nice attack by Arsenal, Jesus shot a great chance over goalkeeper Illan Meslier. The Frenchman had to fish ten minutes before the break, after Rodrigo lost the ball in a clumsy way. Combination play between Ødegaard and Saka followed, after which the latter managed to shoot the ball high into the goal: 0-1.

After the break, Marsch brought Bamford on the field and he immediately showed himself by working the leather into the goal. However, the striker saw his goal canceled due to a foul on Gabriel. On the other hand, Arsenal were thinking of a penalty after Odegaard hit Robin Koch’s hand. However, Kavanagh decided that the German couldn’t help it and gave a corner. On the other hand, Leeds did receive a penalty after William Saliba fouled Bamford. The Englishman went behind the ball himself, but shot the ball past the wrong side of the post. Sinisterra then got another chance to equalize on a pass from Brenden Aaronson. However, he saw his shot blocked.

Aarsonson then forced Aaron Ramsdale to make an excellent save. Five minutes before the end, substitute Eddie Nketiah was close to the decision. Fábio Vieira put the ball in well from a corner, but Nketiah’s heel at the near post didn’t hit the target. In minute 89 Sinisterra got another great chance after good preparatory work by substitute Crysencio Summerville, but this time too his attempt was over. Arsenal escaped unscathed in stoppage time. Kavanagh whistled for Gabriel’s foul at Bamford, after which the Arsenal defender was shown the red card and allowed Leeds to take a penalty. However, it would not come to that, because Kavanagh came back on his decision after advice from the VAR.