Arsenal moved seven points clear at the Premier League summit following a clinical 4-0 demolition of Leeds United at Elland Road.
Mikel Arteta’s men delivered a dominant performance to silence any doubts following their recent slip-up against Manchester United.
Despite the late blow of losing Bukayo Saka to a hip injury during the warm-up, the Gunners remained composed, with replacement Noni Madueke proving instrumental.
Arsenal’s relentless pressure and set-piece efficiency overwhelmed the hosts, ensuring the Londoners capitalized on their title rivals’ idle Saturday.
The victory was solidified through goals from Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyökeres, and Gabriel Jesus, alongside a costly own goal by Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
Arsenal’s ability to rotate and maintain high performance levels was on full display as they professionally managed the second half.
This result places immense pressure on Manchester City and Aston Villa, who must now respond in their respective fixtures on Sunday.
Arsenal Player Ratings
David Raya (6): Had a largely spectator role in West Yorkshire. He dealt with the minimal threats Leeds posed comfortably to secure a clean sheet.
Jurrien Timber (6): Showed immense work rate as a constant outlet on the right flank. He balanced his defensive duties with several driving runs forward.
Gabriel (6): Looked refreshed after a midweek rest. He anchored the defense with authority, making several key clearances to keep the home side at bay.
William Saliba (6): Recovered well from a difficult previous outing. His partnership with Gabriel remained unbreakable, providing the platform for Arsenal’s attacking waves.
Piero Hincapie (6): Filled in admirably at left-back once again. While primarily a center-back, he showed great discipline before being replaced by the returning Calafiori.
Martin Zubimendi (7): Responded to criticism with a clinical near-post header to open the scoring. His technical security helped Arsenal dictate the tempo throughout.
Declan Rice (8): A midfield powerhouse who controlled the engine room with ease. His tactical intelligence and ball recovery made him the standout performer of the match.
Kai Havertz (7): Made a significant impact in his first league start of the year. His link-up play and physical presence in the box caused constant headaches for Leeds.
Noni Madueke (7): Stepped in for Saka at the eleventh hour and excelled. He provided the cross for the opener and forced the own goal with a wicked corner.
Viktor Gyokeres (7): Displayed great strength to hold off defenders and turn home the third goal. His physical profile is becoming a vital asset for Arteta’s system.
Leandro Trossard (6): Worked tirelessly on the left wing without much personal glory. His selfless runs created space for others to exploit the Leeds backline.
Substitutes:
Martin Odegaard (6): Brought on to manage the lead and added a touch of class, providing a clever assist for the final goal.
Gabriel Martinelli (7): Injected pace off the bench and contributed a late assist, continuing his trend of being a high-impact “super sub.”
Gabriel Jesus (7): Showed sharp movement and clinical finishing to add the fourth goal, marking a successful return from his injury layoff.
Riccardo Calafiori (6): Banked valuable minutes as he continues his recovery, looking solid and composed during his time on the pitch.
Eberechi Eze (6): Given a short run-out late in the game to help see out the victory and maintain ball possession.