Arsenal returned to winning ways with a dominant 4-0 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road.
Arsenal delivered a commanding response to the Manchester United loss with a ruthless 4-0 win over Leeds United at Elland Road, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 7 points.
The Gunners were forced into a late reshuffle before kick-off when Bukayo Saka picked up an injury during the warm-up, handing Noni Madueke an unexpected start.
Leeds began with intensity, looking to make life uncomfortable for Arsenal, but it was the Gunners who had the first shot on target, with Martin Zubimendi registering the game’s opening shot on target in the 16th minute.
From there, Arsenal applied sustained pressure by repeatedly flooding the Leeds box through corners, long throws, and quick switches of play. That approach paid dividends on 27 minutes when Zubimendi rose highest to glance Madueke’s inviting cross beyond Darlow for the opener.
The visitors continued to dominate but were briefly frustrated when Viktor Gyökeres couldn’t convert after Madueke’s corner was nodded back across goal. Arsenal’s second soon arrived anyway, as another dangerous Madueke delivery was punched by Darlow onto the post and into his own net in the 38th minute.
Daniel Farke made a double change at the break, and Leeds showed more intent with Pascal Struijk forcing Arsenal’s defence into action with their first effort on target. At the other end, Joe Rodon produced a crucial block to deny Gyökeres, while Jurrien Timber went close before being booked in a moment that summed up Leeds’ renewed aggression.
Any hope of a comeback was ended just after the hour mark when Gyökeres finally found his goal, meeting Gabriel Martinelli’s inch-perfect cross to score his first Premier League goal in seven matches. Arsenal stayed relentless, and Gabriel Jesus added a fourth late on with a composed finish after creating space inside the area.
The result sees Arsenal emphatically bounce back from back-to-back winless league games and move seven points clear at the summit, at least temporarily. For Leeds, it brought an end to a four-game unbeaten run and leaves them still six points above the relegation zone, but with clear work left to do.
