Leeds United 0-4 Arsenal
by Layth Yousif 
at Elland Road

ARSENAL showed tremendous character to achieve a ruthless 4-0 rout of Leeds United, to post a statement victory that once again underlined their Premier League title credentials to all the non-believers near and far.

First-half goals from Martin Zubimendi, and a Karl Darlow own goal following a Noni Madueke corner, were supplemented by Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus strikes during the rain-lashed second half, as the Gunners extended their lead at the top of the table with a tremendous performance full of fight and vigour.

The north Londoners displayed their mental strength after such a miserable defeat at the hands of Manchester United that prompted such an unwarranted deluge of criticism.

Speaking after the match, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta addressed the critics, saying: “The opinions and noise is part of it. What we can control is what we do and how much we want it.”

He said: “The expectation is to win every game. We compete against incredible opponents and we know that’s the case, but that has to fuel your energy and desire to win more than anything else.”

It is at places such as Elland Road that league titles are won, and are lost.

The pressure was on Arsenal before this crucial clash.

Two points from the last nine and a faltering front line meant Arsenal had to show character as much as talent.

Fail in their task, and their lead at the top of the Premier League could have been cut to a single, paltry point come the end of such a vital weekend.

With Gyokeres, Jesus, Madueke, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard all failing to score a Premier League goal in 2026, Mikel Arteta was desperately hoping that dismal run would come to an end at Elland Road.

Yet, at this intimidating Yorkshire citadel, the news got worse shortly before kick-off.

Saka pulled out of the warm-up with a hip complaint, unexpectedly thrusting Madueke into the spotlight, with the 23-year-old replacing the stricken attacker shortly before the start. Madueke did not disappoint.

Winless in three prior to kick-off, Gunners boss Arteta had made a big call by dropping underperforming club captain Martin Odegaard to the bench, while fully fit again Kai Havertz was drafted into midfield to pull the strings, for his first start in the Premier League in more than a year.

Havertz linked better with misfiring striker Gyokeres than anyone in red and white this season so far during his 45 minutes in the 3-2 Champions League victory over Kazakh champions Kairat Almaty in midweek — with Arteta aiming for Havertz to be the catalyst to unleash Arsenal’s Swedish striker’s potential in the bearpit that is Elland Road.

Yet, under such intense pressure, Arsenal as a team showed their mettle, sending a message to their rivals once again this season.

Leeds boasted an excellent record at the fortress that is Elland Road, English football’s most intimidating ground, and had only lost twice at home during this campaign.

Amid a relentlessly thunderous atmosphere, home captain Ethan Ampadu unleashed a stringing drive that flew narrowly over David Raya’s bar after 11 minutes.

Three minutes later Zubimendi had a weak shot that Leeds keeper Karl Darlow gathered easily.

In a week that started badly for the former Real Sociedad midfielder, the Basque-born 26-year-old ended it by emphasising his courage. And his abundant quality.

On 27 minutes, Zubimendi rose to meet the lively Madueke’s cross to head the ball past Leeds keeper Darlow.

It was good to note Zubimendi made amends for his dreadful pass that allowed The Red Devils back into the game a week last Sunday, showing character as much as talent with his perfectly timed glancing header to make it 1-0. Kudos also to Madueke who showed his appetite to influence big games, with an intelligent performance — boosted by his attacking flair and quick feet, leaving observers purring at times with his joie de vivre.

Arteta praised Madueke, saying his excellent performance was “only possible if those players are with the right mindset. We talked before the game that it’s going to be a long game, we’re going to have to navigate through different moments.

“We’re going to need everybody fulfilling their role that they have on the day, and I think the players executed that incredibly well.”

At 1-0 up, now the Gunners could relax ever so slightly and explore a more expansive game. With Leeds on the back foot, Madueke’s corner on 38 minutes flew into the net, past keeper Darlow and a crowded box at the near post.

The last touch was deemed to have come off Darlow, who, expecting a deeper cross, was wrongfooted at the near post as he tangled with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as the ball fell into the net to make it 2-0. The Gunners doubling the lead to notch their seventh own goal of the season, and their 22nd from corners, to make it a redoubtable 28 in total from set plays this term so far.

No wonder the 3,000 travelling Gooners marvelling in their own small corner of west Yorkshire gleefully chorused: “Set piece FC” as Arsenal went into the break 2-0 ahead, among a chorus of boos from the home support.

Not that Gunners anywhere would bother a jot about where the goal came from. “Own goal” could win the golden boot for all anyone of an Arsenal persuasion would care, if it meant ending 22 long years without a title.

However, anyone who knows football, knows that a trip to Elland Road is anything other than uncomfortable.

Passionate, knowledgeable, baying locals hollering in a stadium desperately in need of an upgrade, yet one that provides a rattling receptacle for their noise, demand that their side never quits.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke fully understands and made only a single change from his side that drew with Everton on Monday. 

Gabriel Gudmundsson coming in for Sebastiaan Bornauw as the team rallied after the break, powered by such a vociferous crowd, in a bid to regain a foothold in the match.

Farke switched Ilia Gruev and James Justin, with Noah Okafor and Sean Longstaff at the break, opting to go for broke with a more attacking 4-3-3. Raya saving from Pascal Struijk after the interval, as Leeds flickered with intent, roared on by their deafening fans.

Arteta even chipped in with his take on the uniquely raw atmosphere Elland Road generates. 

“It was a beautiful football atmosphere,” the Arsenal boss said, saying: “When you talk about the tradition and history of this league, this kind of stadium, this kind of atmosphere and people, that’s what makes it unique. It’s a joy to play football in these kinds of grounds, these atmospheres … it’s an amazing stadium.”

Yet, once a team battles to earn the right to play their football, you can see their talent emerge. Which is what Arsenal did as the unforgiving northern rain started to lash down.

After weathering excitable forays into Gunners territory, as the game wore on and the cold rain fell heavily, Arteta’s side started to dominate once again.

On 69 minutes, Gyokeres grabbed his 11th goal of the season to make it 3-0 and seal victory, as the player and his teammates celebrated in front of the travelling Arsenal fans, in the official attendance of 36,858.

Pressure finally dissipated for Arsenal, for this weekend at the very least, as Arteta made a raft of changes.

One of whom, Jesus, made it 4-0 with four minutes remaining, despite being unable to convert two arguably easier chances, allowing the Gunners to post a powerful statement of intent to title rivals Manchester City.

The visitors had certainly left their mark on the Leeds boss, leaving a disappointed but dignified Daniel Farke to reflect after the match: “Arsenal are the best team in the world right now.”

The victory was secured because before talent comes hard work and character. Before victory comes the fight to establish physical and psychological supremacy.

Arsenal duly secured the requirements that allowed them to dominate.

Pressure? What pressure?