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Home   >   Match   >   [Ratings & highlights] Leeds 0-1 Arsenal: Ramsdale & Saka secure win for lucky Gunners

[Ratings & highlights] Leeds 0-1 Arsenal: Ramsdale & Saka secure win for lucky Gunners

By on October 16, 2022

aaron-ramsdale-arsenal

Arsenal ground out a huge three points in a chaotic game at Elland Road after beating a spirited Leeds United 1-0 this afternoon.

After a brief start, the game was delayed for almost 40 minutes due to a power cut but it was a well contested opening 20 minutes when the match finally got going.

Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when Bukayo Saka capitalised on a loose pass from Rodrigo. After being played in by Martin Odegaard, Saka lashed the ball into the roof of the net from a tight ankle to make it 1-0 to The Arsenal.

Leeds started well in the second half and were awarded a penalty in the 62nd after the VAR intervened when William Saliba handled in the area. Luckily for Arsenal, Patrick Bamford fired his penalty wide of the post so it stayed 1-0.

Leeds dominated the second period and thought they had their second penalty of the day when Gabriel was sent off for kicking out at Bamford in the box. However, after checking the pitch-side monitor, the referee changed his mind as Bamford had fouled Gabriel first so the penalty was ruled out and Gabriel was only shown a yellow.

Arsenal held on to secure a fortunate 1-0 win which cements our place at the top of the table.

Here are my ratings:

Ramsdale  8.5/10 | Excellent. Made a number of great saves to keep his clean sheet and secure Arsenal the win. Off his line smartly to claim balls as well and his distribution was solid. Terrific all-round performance.

White  6/10 | Had a good battle with Rasmus Kristensen and did reasonably well against the tricky attacker. Not his best going forward.

Saliba  5/10 | Solid at the back once again but really let himself down with a stupid handball that would have cost Arsenal on another day. Very lucky Bamford missed the resulting penalty.

Gabriel  5/10 | Big block to deny Sinisterra an equaliser in the second half. However, was extremely fortunate not to give away a stoppage time penalty and receive a red card after leaving his leg out at Bamford. Passing was also not up to scratch today.

Tomiyasu  7/10 | Excellent in the first half at left-back but was less convincing after the break as Leeds pushed for a deserved equaliser.

Partey  7/10 | Controlled the game for much of the first half and dealt well against a tough Leeds side in the second half.

Xhaka  6.5/10 | Another solid display but not an influential as he has been in his new role.

Odegaard  7.5/10 | Nice ball to set-up Saka for his goal and played some lovely football in the first half. Not as influential after the break and was subbed in the 72nd minute.

Saka  7.5/10 | Superb finish from a tight angle to open the scoring and was a constant threat in the first half. Very little going forward after the break when Leeds were on top but still worked hard defensively.

Jesus  6/10 | A few nice involvements but very quiet by his usual standards. Leeds did a terrific job of keeping him quiet and he really struggled to influence the game, especially in the second half.

Martinelli  6.5/10 | Worked hard as usual and was a threat in the first half. Final ball was sloppy at times.

Subs:

Vieira  6/10 | Decent in possession after replacing Odegaard.

Tierney  6/10 | Did well after helping Arsenal see out a vital win.

Holding  N/A | On too late

Nketiah  N/A | On too late

Watch Saka’s goal and highlights here: