Leeds 0-4 Arsenal: Goals from Martin Zvimendi, Victor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus, plus support from Karl Darlow, ensured the Gunners won comfortably at Elland Road.
Arsenal got back to winning ways against Leeds (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal defeated Leeds 4-0 at Elland Road, ending a three-game winless run in the Premier League. The Gunners, whose preparations for the match were disrupted by the Yorkshire weather, had an easy win and a seven-point lead at the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta’s side led 2-0 at half-time thanks to Martin Zvimendi’s header and Karl Darlow’s own goal. Both were from CK. Leeds never looked like scoring and Victor Goqueres and Gabriel Jesus scored in the second half.
Manager Daniel Farke made one change to Leeds’ line-up, with Gabriel Gutmundsson replacing Sebastian Bornau in defence. Meanwhile, Arteta made nine changes to the starting line-up for Wednesday’s 3-2 Champions League win over Kairat.
Kai Havertz made his return and started his first league game since August, but Martin Odegaard was only on the bench. But Arsenal’s game plan went awry before kick-off.
Here are five talking points from Elland Road.
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1. Saka’s injury blow
Bukayo Saka, who was rested for Wednesday’s dead rubber, returned to the starting lineup for this match. Arsenal’s vice-captain was looking to end a 14-game goal drought, but in the end his afternoon was over before it began.
Saka suffered a left hip injury during the warm-up, which was a huge blow for the Gunners. Noni Maduke replaced him in the eleven, with Christian Norgaard on the bench.
Bukayo Saka was injured during the warm-up (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
2. Zubimendi makes amends
The match got off to a rocky start, with issues flying around the park. But after 25 minutes, Arsenal took advantage of the run of play and won a corner kick, which Leeds could only half respond to.
Declan Rice passed the ball back to Maduke, who shifted inside and met an inswinging cross to Zubimendi. The Spaniard headed home unmarked, denying Darlow a chance to break the deadlock.
Zvimendi made a rare mistake against Manchester United last weekend, but he made up for it with his fifth goal in Arsenal colors.
Will Martin Zvimendi be the signing for this season? Let us know your choice in the comments section.
Martin Zvimendi scores the opening goal with a header (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
3. “Set Piece Again I’m Me”
To get their second goal, Arsenal didn’t need a second attack on Cherry – or should I say a corner kick? Madueke’s shot came back toward goal, but instead of punching the ball away, Darlow missed wide.
With no Arsenal players nearby, it was Dominic Calvert-Lewin who caused trouble for the Leeds goalkeeper. Darlow jumped forward, allowing Darlow to drive the ball into his own net. The Gunners could hardly believe their luck, but it was clear that even if there was no direct danger from Arsenal’s players, the brilliance from set-pieces was causing their opponents to panic.
Arteta’s side looked like they were back to form after scoring twice in the final minutes of the first half. The strange thing about the first half was that the ‘own goal’ became Arsenal’s highest score in the league. Leeds, on the other hand, should have done everything.
Carl Darlow doubles Arsenal’s lead with an own goal (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
4. Maduke seizes his chance.
In a situation like Arsenal’s where there is a lot of competition for places, every player needs to seize the opportunity with both hands. That’s exactly what Madueke did after joining the squad last minute.
The England international’s two assists were well-deserved and both were valuable. Saka may be Arsenal’s star man, as evidenced by the lucrative new contract he is about to sign, but his replacement is a force to be reckoned with.
Maduke and Havertz were substituted in the second hour. Leeds made two changes at half-time in an attempt to boost their attacking momentum, but the Gunners held firm.
Noni Madueke made an impact with two assists (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
5. Leeds torn apart
Apart from a flurry of attacks at the start of the second half, Leeds took control in their own half. The followers of Elland Road did their best to advance Falke’s men, but they had given themselves a mountain too big to climb.
It was Leeds’ second defeat since November and they remain six points above the relegation zone despite having played one game more than West Ham. There is no shame in losing to the league leaders, but Friday’s game against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest will be a further six points down.
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