Arsenal record first win in three with emphatic dispatching of Leeds
Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres (right) celebrates scoring his side's third goal
An emphatic victory to end a three-match winless run and extend Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points as ‘own goals’ threatened to become manager Mikel Arteta’s leading goalscorer this season.
Tipped by many to struggle at a resurgent Leeds, in the cauldron of Elland Road’s intimidating crowd, Arsenal dominated from start to finish and, despite the bizarre OG stat thanks to keeper Karl Darlow punching into his own net soon after Martin Zubimendi had headed Arsenal in front, it was a wholly deserved victory.
Hard working Viktor Gyokeres added a third as reward for his effort tirelessly being the focal point of Arsenal’s front line. Gabriel Jesus added a late fourth. It could easily have been more.
Leeds’ Ethan Ampadu flashed a 20-yard effort just over the bar after ten minutes and that was a wakeup call for Arsenal, who had just about been on top and coping well enough with Leeds’ high tempo, physical start.
It was pretty much one way traffic in Arsenal’s favour from then on. They took a deserved 27th minute lead though Martin Zubimendi’s fourth goal of the season.
Noni Madueke, a later addition to the starting line-up after Bukayo Saka suffered a hip injury in the warm-up whipped a cross in from the right and Spain midfielder Zubimendi glanced in an unstoppable header.
Arsenal continued to ramp up the pressure and doubled their lead 11 minutes later through one of their seven first half corners. Madueke supplied the delivery again and his inswinging cross was curling inextricably towards the near top corner only for goalkeeper Karl Darlow to punch the ball into his own net without an Arsenal player anywhere near him.
Embarrassing for the Leeds No.1 but a sign of how Arsenal get inside the heads of opposing defences with their impressive set piece record and often force unlikely errors.
Darlow’s unfortunate punch made it five own goals in Arsenal’s favour – their joint top scorer in the league alongside Leandro Trossard and Gyokeres. It was also their 17th set piece success from their 44 goals to date.
Leeds, still in genuine danger of relegation, will be anxiously watching the results of their rivals at the bottom as the weekend plays out but their goal difference took another dent when Gyokeres stabbed in a brilliant 69th minute Gabriel Martinelli cross.
Darlow made a stunning reaction save from a Gabriel Jesus header as Arsenal piled forward in numbers as they searched for more goals in the driving Yorkshire rain.
The fourth goal came from substitute striker Jesus after 86 minutes. The Brazil international controlled a smart Martin Odegard pass and showed tight skills to work space for a shot and a quality low, right-foot finish.
Arteta, under pressure from supporters and the media to get a big win, will feel justified in his pre-match bravado and his bold team selection in dropping captain Martin Odegaard for finally fit again Kai Havertz and then coping with the shock loss of Saka just before kick-off.
Darlow 5, Bogle 6, Struijk 6, Rodon 6, Ampadu 6, Justin 5 (Longstaff 46), Gruev 5 (Okafor 46), Stach 6 (Gnonto 81), Aaronson 5 (Buonanotte 71), Gudmondsson 6, Calvert-Lewin 5 (Piroe 85).
Perri, Tanaka, Bornauw, Byram.
Raya 6, Timber 7, Saliba 6, Gabriel 7, Hincapie 6 (Calafiori 75), Zubimendi 7, Rice 7, Havertz 6 (Odegaard 61), Madueke 8 (Martinelli 61), Trossard 6 (Eze 81), Gyokeres 7 (Jesus 76).
Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, White, Norgaard.
Stuart Attwell 4.
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