(Author: Barkha Roy)
The trio of Gabriel Jesus, Ben White and Granit Xhaka were all on the scoresheet as the Gunners restored their eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a dominant 4-1 win over Leeds United.
Manchester City’s victory over Liverpool at home on Saturday lunchtime narrowed the gap to five points, but Jesus’ first-half penalty – committed by Luke Ayling against the Brazilian – put Mikel Arteta’s side ahead just after the half-hour mark.
Leeds created more chances in the first half, with Rasmus Kristensen, Crysencio Summerville and Jack Harrison testing goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. However, they fell further behind two minutes later when Ben White converted a low cross from Gabriel Martinelli at the underside of the crossbar.
From then on, Arsenal dominated and Jesus, who had been listed in place of Bukayo Saka, made it 3-0 with a first-time finish after a cross from Leandro Trossard. Kristensen pulled one back for Leeds, but a header from Granit Xhaka, after a throw-in from Martin Odegaard, sealed the win with six minutes to go.
For much of the first half hour, it looked like the Gunners would have a frustrating afternoon as they struggled against the visitors’ disciplined and organized defense. Kristensen’s fierce shot from the edge of the area was saved by Aaron Ramsdale in the first minute, before Martinelli had a shot on goal blocked at the other end.
However, the Premier League leaders just needed pace, and they put their faith in Ramsdale again in the minutes before Jesus’ first goal. After a run, Crysencio Summerville hit a low shot into the Arsenal goalkeeper’s arms, before Harrison’s powerful shot from close range was deflected away by the 24-year-old.
However, Jesus’ spot-kick seemed to calm the home side’s nerves, and from then on they saw the game out with total ease, giving coach Arteta his 100th win as Arsenal manager (in all competitions).
Before the game, Leeds coach Gracia said that the recent international break had left his team with “big problems” ahead of the trip to north London, with Max Wober and Wilfried Gnonto suffering injuries while playing for their respective countries.
At the Emirates, the visitors used a 4-3-3 formation, with Crysencio Summerville and Luis Sinisterra on either side and Brenden Aaronson up front, and Jack Harrison, Rasmus Kristensen and Marc Roca in midfield.
Apparently, Harrison was given strict instructions to mark Odegaard when the Gunners were in possession, and he did an excellent job of smothering him in the early exchanges. Unfortunately for Gracia’s side, they failed to take advantage of three good chances in the first half and never looked like recovering from Jesus’ first-half penalty.
Leeds remain in 16th place on 26 points, one point ahead of 18th-placed Leicester City. April should be a crucial month for Gracia’s side as they look to keep their heads above water, with games against Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Leicester and Bournemouth in the next six games.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s seventh league win in a row took them to 72 points from 29 games, while City, who still have to play Arsenal at home, are on 64 points from a game in hand.