Key events
Show key events only
Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
60 min: Arsenal, the job already done, stroke it around the back awhile. They’ll certainly want to take any remaining heat out of the game, having already suffered a couple of worrying injuries to Odegaard and Saka.
Share
58 min: VAR has a look, just in case Saliba handled, but there’s no problem there. The goal stands. Leeds respond with a double change, sending on Longstaff and Nmecha for Tanaka and Piroe.
Share
GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 Leeds United (Timber 56)
Madueke’s low shot is deflected wide left of the target. The resulting corner isn’t dealt with by Leeds at all. Rice curls into a crowded six-yard box. Timber wins a header. Saliba and Struijk both stick out a chest at the ball. The ball drops again to Timber, who leaning back pokes home with his studs. Scrappy, messy, but they all count!
Share
54 min: Saka had reared up mid-dribble. The feared hop and skip that suggests a possible hamstring problem. He was feeling the underside of his left thigh. As he leaves the pitch, he has a word with Mikel Arteta. Both men look a little concerned. Hopefully more precautionary than anything serious, but time will tell.
Share
53 min: A pained look in Saka’s eye as he gingerly feels his left leg. He blows out his cheeks in frustration as he slowly limps off. Another few shakes of the head. Trossard comes on in his place.
Share
51 min: … but the joyous mood is suddenly dampened when Saka goes down. He sits on the turf shaking his head sadly. This doesn’t look promising.
Share
50 min: That’s got the crowd going, a fine solo effort that’s celebrated with a mixture of joy and relief. The former Sporting Clube scoring sensation has lift-off.
Share
GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Leeds United (Gyokeres 48)
Gyokeres didn’t do much at Old Trafford last week; he didn’t do much in the first half today. But he’s suddenly sprung to life, and in some style! He chases a long pass down the left and enters the box. He takes a couple of touches before powering his way past Struijk and swivelling an unstoppable drive into the bottom left! His Arsenal career is go!
Viktor Gyokeres (right) fires home to extend Arsenal’s lead. Photograph: Ian Walton/APWhich he’s rather pleased about … Photograph: John Walton/PAAs are the Arsenal fans. Photograph: David Klein/ReutersShare
Updated at 13.49 EDT
47 min: Saka dribbles his way past Gudmundsson down the right but overhits his cross. Calafiori tries unsuccessfully to keep the move going on the left flank.
Share
46 min: Arsenal are immediately on the front foot, their press forcing Tanaka into conceding a throw deep in Leeds territory. Calafiori launches a long one into the mixer but the visitors clear their lines easily enough.
Share
Arsenal get the second half started. No changes.
Share
Half-time entertainment. Crystal Palace bid farewell to their FA Cup final hero.
Share
HALF TIME: Arsenal 2-0 Leeds United
Arsenal have had two attempts on target. Two goals. The sort of clinical behaviour that wins titles.
Share
Updated at 13.26 EDT
45 min +3: That’ll have cheered Mikel Arteta’s mood. Saka sprinkling some necessary stardust on an otherwise middling performance.
Share
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Leeds United (Saka 45+1)
Out of nowhere, an absolute belter! Rice steals the ball off Gruev, 30 yards from the Leeds goal, and feeds Timber, who slips Saka into the box down the inside-right. Saka’s got Gyokeres in the middle, waiting for a tap-in, but instead goes for goal himself, roofing a fierce shot across Perri from a tight angle! The keeper, ostensibly covering his near post, had no chance, such was the ferocity of the shot. Wow!
A thumping shot from Bukayo Saka doubles Arsenal’s lead. Photograph: David Klein/ReutersWhich pleases his manager Mikel Arteta. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images/ReutersShare
Updated at 13.27 EDT
45 min: There will be three additional first-half minutes.
Share
43 min: Arsenal may be leading, but their manager isn’t happy. He’s throwing a lot of semaphore shapes in his technical area, and telling his players what’s what.
Share
41 min: Nope, and when the ball’s hoofed clear, Madueke gets the better of Stach in a footrace down the inside-left channel before hammering a shot goalwards. Perri parries, then the whistle goes for a generous free kick to Leeds, Madueke having gently put a hand on his opponent’s shoulder. Stach got away with some timid play there.
Share
40 min: Bogle barges his way down the right flank. He has his foot trodden on by Calafiori, who is fortunate not to go into the book. But it’s a free kick, and a chance for Leeds to line up on the edge of the Arsenal box. Can they hoist the hosts by their own set-piece petard?
Share
38 min: Odegaard can’t continue. He makes way for Nwaneri and trudges off looking glum.
Share
37 min: Madueke crosses from the left. Rodon half clears. Zubimendi meets the dropping ball and volleys it towards Holloway Road.
Share
36 min: That goal came at a good time for Arsenal, with their fans getting a little agitated as the team ran out of ideas in open play. Now they’re in full voice: 1-0 to the Arsenal, as the old classic goes.
Share
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Leeds United (Timber 34)
Rice sends a fierce in-swinger into a crowded six-yard box. Timber meets it, glancing the ball across Perri and into the right-hand side of the net. Simple as that! It’s not breaking news, but they’re damn good at corners.
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber (centre) gets on the end of cross and heads the ball goalwards … Photograph: Andy Rain/EPAAll eyes are on the ball as it nestles in Leeds’ net Photograph: Ian Walton/APTimber, his teammates and the Arsenal fans celebrate. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images/ReutersShare
Updated at 13.18 EDT
33 min: Calafiori wins a corner down the left. Time for one of Arsenal’s famous set-pieces. And …
Share
32 min: Odegaard has the chance to play in Zubimendi down the right, but turns tail and sends the ball back to his defenders. Soon enough the ball’s at Raya’s feet. A few grumbles from the home fans, who may be wondering what happened to that fast start.
Share
30 min: Calafiori has the chance to release Madueke down the left but overcooks the pass, the ball sent carelessly out for a goal kick. On the touchline, Mikel Arteta frowns quite a lot, and he’s not the only one. “This is all a bit tame from Arsenal,” writes Charles Antaki. “Perhaps the players have been up all night reading about the new team-mate. A bit of fizz required.”
Share
29 min: … and so he comes back on. But he doesn’t look totally happy.
Share
28 min: Odegaard’s feeling that right shoulder. It looks like he’s walking off, but then gives Mikel Arteta the thumbs-up. He wants to continue.
Share
27 min: Odegaard sits down on the pitch and asks for the physio, who comes on and checks that shoulder.
Share
26 min: Now it’s Leeds’ turn to stroke it around slowly. They’ll be happy with the way this match has panned out so far.
Share
24 min: Arsenal’s early energy has dropped a little, and Leeds look slightly more comfortable as a result. Meanwhile Russell Yong’s first reaction to seeing the news of Eze’s signing break just before kick-off was: “What, no on-pitch contract signing a la Bryan Robson in 1981?! Men in suits crowded around a tiny table, fold-out chairs, some awkward ball-juggling in a suit and tie afterward? Game’s gone!”
Some wonderful awkwardness, 1981-style. Composite: Getty Images, AVFCShare
22 min: Leeds have come alive. James advances down the right and reaches the byline, looking to find Gnonto at the near post. Gnonto can’t force the ball past Raya, who spreads himself bravely to block and takes a whack for his trouble. He’s up and about soon enough, able to restart the game with a goal kick.
Share
20 min: … Struijk wins a header on the penalty spot and powers it straight at Raya, who tips over with a strong hand. Either side of the keeper and that was surely a goal. Nothing comes of the second corner.
Share
19 min: … and so having said that, Leeds bust out of their half. James again runs at Calafiori down the right, and this time his low shot deflects out for a corner. From which …
Share
18 min: Madueke slips forward for Gyokeres down the inside-left channel, but the pass is all wrong and Bogle can intercept and clear. Leeds are struggling to get out of their half.
Share
16 min: From the restart, Leeds play themselves into trouble, Perri and Struijk faffing around with some unnecessary short passes. Zubimendi spots what’s unfolding, latching onto Struijk’s attempt to play upfield for Stach, and toe-pokes to Gyokeres, free on the penalty spot. Gyokeres has more time than he realises, and on the swivel, swipes a first-time shot wide left. Arsenal should be leading.
Share
15 min: Rice takes the resulting free kick, sending a diagonal ball towards Gabriel on the left-hand corner of the six-yard box. Gabriel’s header sails harmlessly wide right.
Share
14 min: Odegaard spins Stach, who barges him over from behind. The Arsenal captain lands awkwardly on his shoulder, and stays down grimacing awhile, but thankfully gets back up soon enough.
Share
12 min: … and now they go long, but Gabriel is too strong for Piroe in the chase down the middle. He shepherds the ball back to Raya.
Share
11 min: Leeds finally show in attack, James cutting in from the right and battering a low shot that’s blocked by Calafiori.
Share
10 min: Arsenal waste another free kick, Odegaard witlessly hoofing it into a crowded box. But the hosts come again. First Calafiori flops over near James, and cheekily claims a penalty. He doesn’t get it. Rice then crosses from the left, but Saka can’t meet it with his head. Leeds finally clear their lines.
If only Bukayo Saka was a little bit taller. Photograph: John Walton/PAShare
Updated at 13.02 EDT
9 min: Perri dallies with the ball at his feet and is hounded by Gyokeres, forcing a shanked clearance. Bogle keeps it in play with a header on the touchline, but Madueke races off with it. Bogle responds by clipping Madueke from behind, just outside the box. He goes into the book, and will have a long evening ahead of him.
Share
8 min: Saka busies himself down the right and cuts back for Odegaard, who drags a shot wide right from the edge of the box. Perri had it covered.
Share
7 min: Gudmundsson clumsily clanks into Zubimendi. Free kick to Arsenal, just to the right of the D. A chance to stick one into the box, but they opt to play it short and waste it.
Share
5 min: Leeds haven’t had much of a sniff yet.
Share
4 min: James stands on the ball in the centre circle, allowing Rice to steam off with it. Rice lays off to Odegaard, who tries a drive from distance. That’s blocked as well. Arsenal have started briskly.
Share
3 min: Calafiori feeds Madueke down the left wing and keeps going. He gets the ball back as he enters the box on the overlap, but his cross, intended for Gyokeres in the middle, is no good. Blocked and cleared. But it’s a promising start by Madueke, who is stationed on his less-favoured flank.
Share
2 min: Timber finds Madueke on the left with a raking crossfield pass. Madueke sends in a cross-cum-shot that’s easy pickings for Perri in the Leeds goal.
Share
Leeds get the ball rolling. Arsenal soon take it off them.
Share
… and now the players ready for tonight emerge. Arsenal in their traditional red and white, Leeds in second-choice blue. A genuine buzz in the stadium, a heady mix of first-home-fixture-of-the-season excitement and new-signing thrill. We’ll be off soon, but just before kick-off, there’s a moment of applause in memory of former Arsenal director and board member Richard Carr, who died recently.
The Arsenal fans look to be in good voice. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images/ReutersIt’s handshake time. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty ImagesThen it’s time to pay tribute to Richard Carr. Photograph: David Klein/ReutersShare
Updated at 12.38 EDT
Ebere Eze, Arsenal’s new number 10, casually saunters out of the tunnel with his new shirt on. A broad smile then a laugh as he soaks up the love. Quite the ovation. He’s signed too late to feature this evening, but he’ll be available for Arsenal’s trip to Anfield next weekend.
Eberechi Eze greets the Gooners at the Emirates. Photograph: Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesWho seem pleased to see him. Photograph: David Klein/ReutersShare
Updated at 12.33 EDT
Daniel Farke talks to Sky Sports. “No doubt we are playing one of the best sides … maybe the best side in terms of consistency … we know there will be difficult parts of the game … we must be rock-solid … suffer together … but it won’t be enough to just defend for 90-plus minutes … it’s also important that we have periods when we control the ball … play our game … we stick to our DNA … physicality … good in both boxes … still play football.”
Share
Arsenal announce Eze signing
Some breaking news coming out of the Emirates: Arsenal have just completed the signing of Crystal Palace and England winger Eberechi Eze on a long-term contract.
“We are absolutely delighted to bring Eberechi to Arsenal,” says Mikel Arteta. “He is a powerful and exciting player who will give us a new dimension in our attacking game.
“What stands out just as much as his talent and intelligence as a player, is the way he has worked hard throughout his career to get where he is today. His journey, his mentality, and his ambition are exactly what we want in our team.”
Eberechi will be given the number 10 shirt. He will meet his new team-mates after tonight’s game.
Share
Updated at 12.10 EDT
Mikel Arteta speaks to Sky Sports. “We have options … every game we will look at potential advantages we could have … we have resources throughout the game to change things … [15-year-old Max Dowman] has earned the right to be on the bench … you see already the enthusiasm and joy of the fans … we have the chance to create something very important.”
Share
Street art seems to be the order of the day on the bustling avenues that surround the Emirates Stadium. Here we see fans flocking to study minimalist satire Trophy Cabinet (2025, paint on brick). The controversial painting hangs in a location previously reserved for All Roads Lead Home, a Bansky-style mural depicting Eberechi Eze.
“Mm, yes, mm, this may be free of form but not of metaphor.”
“I don’t get it.” Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images
Meanwhile, stationed outside a nearby pizzeria, this typographical piece contemplates themes of existential angst and unrequited desire. Do you want some chilli oil with your crude sloganeering?
“Mm, yes, mm, this is tasty pizza.”
“Yes dear.” Photograph: Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty ImagesShare
Arsenal make two changes to their starting XI after the 1-0 win at Manchester United. Jurriën Timber replaces the injured Ben White in defence, while Noni Madueke comes in for the benched Gabriel Martinelli.
Leeds United also won their opening game 1-0, at home to Everton last Monday. They make one change to their starting line-up, Ilia Gruev replacing their injured captain Ethan Ampadu.
Share
The teams
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Madueke.
Subs: Mosquera, Arrizabalaga, Kiwior, Trossard, Nwaneri, Merino, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Martinelli.
Leeds United: Lucas Perri, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Tanaka, Gruev, Stach, James, Piroe, Gnonto.
Subs: Darlow, Longstaff, Aaronson, Nmecha, Bijol, Okafor, Harrison, Bornauw, Byram.
Referee: Jarred Gillett (Australia).
Share
Updated at 11.30 EDT
Preamble
Welcome to a rematch of the 1972 FA Cup final, which Leeds United won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Sniffer Clarke. Leeds fans are advised to keep thinking about that, because more up-to-date data very much does not skew in their favour. In the last 20 years, these two clubs have met 11 times. Arsenal have won nine of the matches, scoring four goals on three separate occasions and 23 overall. Leeds have won none, scoring just seven goals in total. Pull the focus back just one more year, to the 2003-04 season, and we find another three wins for Arsenal: two 4-1s and a 5-0. So throw in Arsenal’s genuine title hopes and newly promoted Leeds’ more modest aims, and everything points to a home banker. But football is football, so you just never know. Kick-off is at 5.30pm UK time. It’s on!
Share
