LEEDS, England — Regardless of the outcome of their quest for the Premier League title, Arsenal is committed to staying true to their style. Following last weekend’s narrow 3-2 loss to Manchester United, discussions arose about the need for a change in approach to secure their first league title since 2004.
In the wake of that defeat, Mikel Arteta addressed the team in a meeting, where they pledged to “play with enjoyment… courage… and the conviction that they can win.”
By leaving captain Martin Ødegaard on the bench against Leeds, Arsenal hinted at a fresh strategy. Ultimately, however, they delivered a commanding 4-0 victory on Saturday, showcasing the very essence of Arteta’s Arsenal.
The goals came from various sources: a strike from a recycled corner, one directly from a corner, a close-range finish by Viktor Gyökeres, and a late goal from substitute Gabriel Jesus, extending their lead at the top of the table back to seven points.
While the match may not have been the most exciting, Arsenal executed their game plan with precision. They effectively contained Leeds and dampened the home crowd’s energy, only briefly threatened as Leeds sought to rally early in the second half.
Arsenal demonstrated courage and confidence, embodying their trademark style. There was no sign of hesitation; Arteta emphasizes that controlling possession, maximizing set-piece opportunities, and relying on “finishers” are key to their title bid.
This impressive response came after a challenging three-game winless streak, clearly bringing joy to Arteta.
“The mentality is strong,” Arteta stated. “I talked about playing with joy, believing in ourselves, and knowing that we can beat any opponent.
“We truly displayed that, and it was crucial to show our quality in this league in various ways.”
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Arteta praises Madueke’s performance after Saka’s injury
Mikel Arteta provides commentary on Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Leeds United and highlights the performance of Noni Madueke, who was a last-minute starter.
The match’s initial hour witnessed intense competition, where Arsenal’s physical presence and set-piece skills proved decisive. Noni Madueke was in the starting XI due to Bukayo Saka‘s hip injury sustained during warmups, yet he emerged as their most persistent threat.
His corner in the 27th minute was initially cleared, but Arsenal swiftly moved the ball to the England international, who then delivered a precise cross that Martín Zubimendi directed into the net.
The historic atmosphere at this renowned venue always swelled during the first half, but a palpable hush followed Arsenal’s corner kicks, hinting that something significant was about to happen.
On Arsenal’s seventh corner, delivered fiercely by Madueke, Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow could only react by punching it into his own net.
Leeds’ manager Daniel Farke made tactical changes at half-time, allowing them to control more possession, but Ødegaard’s introduction in the 61st minute made a significant impact alongside Gabriel Martinelli. Ødegaard’s clever pass released Martinelli, leading to Gyökeres’ goal in the 69th minute, quashing any hopes of a Leeds resurgence.
Four minutes from time, Jesus wrapped up the victory by converting Ødegaard’s pass with an intelligent turn in the box before slotting the ball home.
Leeds managed just three shots throughout the game, achieving an expected goals tally of only 0.15—the third-lowest figure for any team facing Arsenal this season.
This defensive sturdiness was pivotal for their rise to the top of the table, and its return here was unmistakable.
“That level of control is crucial for us,” Arteta emphasized. “Opponents will always challenge you, and you must execute your strategies consistently to avoid conceding goals. We accomplished that against a tough side today.”
Farke conceded: “They were dominant from start to finish. No matter what we attempted, they had an answer. We struggled to create meaningful chances.”
Although Arsenal’s attacking synergy remains a work in progress, their struggle for a top scorer also serves as a point of concern. “Own goal” briefly stood as their leading scorer before Gyökeres’ timely interventions solidified his position with six goals. After squandering a significant opportunity at 2-0, he must continually prove worth for his €63.5 million price tag, yet this goal will surely bolster his confidence.
As a collective unit, Arsenal has restored their strength and composure in the title battle, especially with Manchester City preparing for their encounter with Tottenham and Aston Villa set to face Brentford on Sunday.
Arteta referred to the need to “lower the temperature” during the players’ Monday meeting, but nothing can do that quite like an emphatic win, especially as they reinforced their identity in the process.
The pressure now shifts to City.