Reiss Nelson scored the only goal of the game as we ran out 1-0 winners at The Emirates on Monday night. The win ensured we booked a 4th round tie with Bournemouth (25th January weekend) as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal revolution gathers pace.
The outcome of the game itself could have been a different story altogether had Leeds been a bit more clinical in front of goal in the first half. They moved the ball around really well and created several chances and made us look very poor indeed, yet somehow we went in all square the the break.
Alex Lacazette revealed after the game that Arteta had ‘shouted a lot’ at half time after a substandard performance, and things improved from the start of the second half as we pressed better and created several good chances of our own.
We fielded a very strong side, with just Leno and Aubameyang missing while Mesut Ozil had yet another great game under Arteta. Rob Holding made a comeback from his latest injury meaning he should now be able to compensate for losing Chambers over Christmas to his ACL injury.
After some early second half pressure, Reiss Nelson bundled the ball home for what proved to be the winner, but Leeds gave a good account of themselves overall and were unlucky not to give their 8,500 fans something to celebrate.
Up next for us, is a tricky test away at Crystal Palace this Saturday lunchtime back in the league. A win in the London derby would give us a huge confidence boost and playing first means we can sit back and watch the rest of the weekend’s games hoping for some more slip ups by the other big sides around us and Tottenham.
