Arsenal – Leeds United: The Gunners Get Back to Winning Ways (2-1)

Arsenal received a brutal reminder before the international break that there is an increasingly fine line between being great and good in the most competitive of Europe’s top leagues. There was no relenting of the challenge for the Premier League champions in their early kick-off on Saturday, and it took their strength in depth to dispatch of a stubborn opponent in Leeds.

Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere.

Arsenal are in the unfamiliar position of being the team with the target on their back. They became Premier League champions in May, achieving the feat for the first time since 2004. The Community Shield signaled their intent to better Manchester City for a second successive season, but the reality of battling with an ever-widening middle class of competent opposition makes the task a difficult one. Indeed, after a 3-0 humbling at the Amex Stadium, the Gunners have to bounce back from adversity.

Leeds United are one of those teams that the champions must respect. A 14th placed Premier League finish and FA Cup semi-final run exceeded expectations for . . .