Table-topping Arsenal responded to Manchester City’s comeback victory over Liverpool by defeating a spirited Leeds United, extending the Gunners’ winning streak to seven Premier League (PL) games on the bounce.
Heading into the game, Leeds boss Javi Gracia had lost just once since taking charge, and that momentum seemingly continued early on at the Emirates Stadium. The visitors made the better start with Crysencio Summerville looking particularly lively, yet it was the league leaders who took the lead. Having headed over from an enticing Granit Xhaka cross, the returning Gabriel Jesus made amends when he was chopped down by Luke Ayling in the box, and in the absence of usual penalty-taker Bukayo Saka, he dusted himself off to score from the spot. With HT approaching, Illan Meslier was almost left red-faced after a poor clearance, but Ayling somewhat atoned for his foul, clearing Gabriel Martinelli’s effort away from the goal line.
The Gunners haven’t lost a league game in which they have led at HT this season, and an electric start to the second period quickly produced a second goal for the hosts, leaving Leeds with a mountain to climb. Martinelli weaved his way past Ayling down the left, finding space to deliver a tantalising ball for former Leeds man Ben White, who converted at the back post. By this stage, Mikel Arteta’s side were firmly in control, and with less than an hour played, the contest was practically put to bed. Leandro Trossard displayed terrific close control to find space in the box before picking out Jesus, who finished from close range, bagging a brace in the process.
Rasmus Kristensen’s heavily deflected effort deceived Aaron Ramsdale to make it 3-1 with less than 15 minutes to play, but Granit Xhaka’s header extinguished any distant hopes of a comeback soon after. Victory re-establishes Arsenal’s eight-point lead at the top of the PL table, albeit having played a game more than Manchester City. Meanwhile, Leeds sit precariously above the bottom-three.
