Arsenal showcased their Premier League title aspirations with a convincing 4-0 victory over Leeds, extending their lead to seven points atop the standings.
Martín Zubimendi and an own goal from Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow set Arsenal up with a 2-0 lead by halftime, followed by second-half goals from Viktor Gyökeres and substitute Gabriel Jesus, ensuring Mikel Arteta’s team returned to form.
The Gunners have now secured eight consecutive wins against Leeds and remain unbeaten in their last 16 encounters since 2003, including a streak without a loss at Elland Road dating back to November 2000.
Arsenal had previously experienced some pressure with goalless draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, in addition to a home defeat to Manchester United, which raised concerns about their quest for their first domestic title since 2004.
However, they recently achieved their eighth consecutive Champions League win, advancing to the last 16 after a narrow 3-2 victory over Kairat, and they displayed no signs of nerves in West Yorkshire.
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Despite a setback when Bukayo Saka exited the warm-up with a hip injury, Arsenal quickly adapted. Replacement Noni Madueke proved instrumental in both of Arsenal’s opening goals, helping them to a 2-0 lead by halftime.
Zubimendi’s initial low shot was easily saved by Darlow, but he redeemed himself in the 27th minute by capitalizing on a fantastic cross from Madueke, guiding the ball home at the near post.
Leeds had only lost one of their last ten league games and had begun the match promisingly, with captain Ethan Ampadu narrowly missing a shot in the 11th minute. However, once Arsenal scored, they seized control of the game. Gyökeres headed back across the six-yard box, leading to increased pressure from the visitors, culminating in an own goal from Darlow in the 38th minute after he was impeded by teammate Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
At halftime, Leeds made two substitutions, bringing on Sean Longstaff and Noah Okafor, which reinvigorated their supporters at the start of the second half.
Despite a valiant effort, including a well-placed header from Pascal Struijk that forced a low save from David Raya
, Arsenal’s defense remained firm. Any hopes of a Leeds comeback were dashed in the 69th minute, as Gyökeres scored Arsenal’s third from a close-range finish following a cross from substitute Gabriel Martinelli.
Jesus’s remarkable header was saved by Darlow, but he soon found the net, steering a shot into the bottom corner after receiving a pass from Martin Ødegaard, marking Leeds’ 10th league defeat of the season.