Arsenal returned from the international break in a situation where no one would have thought they would be in at the start of the season, with only ten games to play and entering the final stretch of the premier league season, they found themselves 8 points clear – although, Manchester City’s win over Liverpool earlier on in the day briefly reduced the gap at the top to five. Despite that, Arsenal didn’t let the pressure get to them and comfortably saw off Leeds in a second consecutive 4-1 home victory and made it seven league victories in a row in the process.
Mikel Arteta’s side actually started the game rather slowly – perhaps not completely surprising considering this was the first game after the international break. With goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale being forced into a number of saves in the first half including one to deny Leeds defender Kristensen in the opening seconds. However, Arsenal won a penalty midway through the first half as some quick and fancy footwork from Jesus led to Leeds captain Luke Ayling catching the Brazilian in the box. The Arsenal striker stepped up and tucked away the spot kick to score his first goal since his return from injury and his first in exactly six months since his close range strike in the 3-1 home North London Derby victory over Tottenham on October 1st.
And it was almost 2-0 to Arsenal just before the break as Leeds keeper IIIan Meslier came rushing out to cut out a lobbed through ball, living the goal empty – from upwards of 40 yards Gabriel Martinelli tried to take advantage and score on the volley however the ball was cleared by Ayling just before the line, making sure the scoreline remained 1-0 to The Arsenal at half-time. However, it wouldn’t take Arsenal long to double that advantage in the 2nd half as in the opening minutes following the interval, a superb Gabriel Martinelli cross found Ben White who finished from a few yards out to double his sides advantage and score his second goal in four games. Soon after, two became three for Mikel Arteta’s side as some great work from Leandro Trossard led to the Belgian firing the ball across the Leeds penalty area and Gabriel Jesus was there to smash home for his second and his first open play goal in six months, the striker’s emotions were clear to see in his celebrations and everyone connected with Arsenal will be delighted with his performance as he looks to get back to his best ahead of the final fixtures of the season.
With The game seemingly all but done, Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsdale and the Arsenal defence would have been desperate to secure a clean sheet – something which surprisingly has been something of a rarity for Arsenal this season – however, they couldn’t secure it as Kristensen fired past the Arsenal stopper with a strike which took a deflection of Oleksandr Zinchenko. Although, any fears of a potential comeback was put to bed when Granit Xhaka headed in on the 84th minute following a perfect ball from captain Martin Odegaard to make it 4-1 to Arteta’s team and put the Gunners back in a position of 8 points clear.
Arteta’s Arsenal face their next big test at Anfield against Liverpool, a ground they haven’t tasted victory in since 2012. As the conclusion to this incredible season edges ever closer…
Player Ratings:
Aaron Ramsdale: 7 – made a few smart saves in the first half however couldn’t prevent losing the clean sheet
Ben White: 9 – Another outstanding Ben White performance. Superb defensively and added another goal
Rob Holding: 7 – Solid again in Saliba’s absence
Gabriel: 7 – Solid as always
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 6 – Not as impactful as usual but solid enough
Thomas Partey: 6 – Not bad but not as influential as in other games but still decent
Granit Xhaka: 7 – Went about his business in midfield well and continued his impressive goalscoring form with a second half header
Martin Odegaard: 7 – Quiet in the first half but much better in the 2nd. Got a brilliant assist for Xhaka’s goal
Leandro Trossard: 7 – Like Odegaard, was quiet in the 1st had on the right hand side in the absence of Saka. However came to life in the 2nd and was class, another assist to add to his impressive form
Gabriel Jesus: 8 – Two goals, fabulous footwork, just a joy to watch when he’s at his best
Gabriel Martinelli: 7 -a constant menace for the leeds backline