Bukayo Saka’s first-half goal clinched Arsenal a hard-fought and controversial 1-0 win at Leeds and kept them top of the Premier League table on Sunday (16 October).
Saka slammed home an emphatic finish 10 minutes before the interval as Arsenal won for the ninth time in 10 league games this season. But Leeds, inspired by the half-time introduction of talisman Patrick Bamford, dominated the second period and will feel aggrieved to have lost. Play was suspended by referee Chris Kavanagh less than a minute after kick-off when all the match officials lost contact with the video assistant referee and goal-line technology due to a power cut. Kavanagh led the players off the pitch amid a chorus of boos and play did not resume until 2.40pm local time.
Thereafter, Leeds’ good start was undone by Rodrigo’s wayward pass deep in his own half, which led to Arsenal’s 35th-minute opener. Odegaard and Saka combined on the right edge of the area, and the England winger slammed home an angled finish into the roof of the net. The home fans were later lifted, however, when Leeds were awarded a penalty for a handball. Referee Kavanagh was initially unmoved by Leeds’ protests, but eventually pointed to the spot after consulting the replay monitor, only for Bamford to fire wide. Follow all the post-game reaction from Leeds vs Arsenal in the Premier League:
