Arsenal Beat Leeds 2-1 To Close Gap On Man City

Arsenal produced an excellent second-half fightback to beat Leeds United 2-1 on their return to Premier League action, reviving their title defence and closing the gap on leaders Manchester City.

After opening their title defence with four consecutive wins and only one goal conceded, Arsenal had been left to stew over a humbling 3-0 defeat to Brighton during the three-week international break.

Leeds were terrifically organised in defence and brave in attack, and fully deserved their opener 10 minutes after half-time. James Justin sent the travelling support into raptures — in an away fixture they had not celebrated a league victory in since May 2003 — when he slammed in from Gabriel Gudmundsson’s pull-back.

Arsenal appeared uninspired and unsettled but found a much-needed quick response when Riccardo Calafiori converted at close range after being teed up by Ben White.

Mikel Arteta immediately made a triple change, including the introduction of £75m summer signing Bruno Guimaraes, and the atmosphere at a restless Emirates Stadium was transformed.

Guimaraes completed the comeback eight minutes later with an assured finish from the edge of the penalty area, rounding off a wonderful, free-flowing move by the home side.

The victory closed the gap to leaders Manchester City, who remain top on goal difference before travelling to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday.