Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz, Trossard, Madueke, Gyokeres
Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, White, Odegaard, Jesus, Eze, Martinelli, Madueke, Calafiori
Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points after beating Leeds 4-0 at Elland Road on Saturday, thanks to goals from Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Jesus and an own goal.
Mikel Arteta made nine changes from the side that beat Kairat Almaty on Wednesday, with Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and Leandro Trossard all coming into the team.
Despite initially being penned in to start, Bukayo Saka was forced to withdraw after picking up an injury in the warm up and was replaced by Noni Madueke.
FIRST HALF
As expected, it was a high energy start from Leeds who were looking to press and make life as difficult as possible for Arsenal, with the game becoming quite scrappy and combative in midfield.
Ampadu had the first ‘sight’ of goal for the hosts but fired over before Martin Zubimendi found himself unmarked on the edge of the box but scuffed his shot straight at Darlow.
Arteta’s men eventually settled were starting to build some pressure and after a series of well-delivered corners, worked the ball out to Noni Madueke who cut inside and delivered a delicious ball into the box, where Zubimendi took full advantage – heading in at the near post. 0-1.
With questions being asked over the quality and consistency of his end product, there were no doubts about this delivery from Madueke while Zubimendi quietly popped up with his sixth league goal of the season.
Without creating a huge amount, Arsenal continued to push forward and looked dangerous from set pieces – so it’s no surprise their second goal came straight from a corner when Madueke caught Leeds out at the near post.
It was another great delivery from the Englishman which caused panic on the goalline and after Darlow and Calvert-Lewin got in each other’s way, all the goalkeeper could do was push the ball into his own net. 0-2.
Madueke was slightly unfortunate not to be credited with the goal because it was technically on target, although it was eventually credited as an own goal (Darlow).
After a tough opening 20 minutes, the Gunners will have been pleased with their first half efforts because they matched Leeds physically and were able to capitalise on their few attacking moments in the opposition box to lead.
SECOND HALF
Leeds responded by making two half time changes with Longstaff and Okafor replacing Justin and Gruev, but it was Arsenal who should have added a third after Leandro Trossard played Viktor Gyokeres through first time with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Unfortunately (and not for the first time this season), the striker took too long getting his shot off and couldn’t create the necessary amount of separation which allowed Rodon to get back and block his eventual shot.
Timber also missed a good chance to head in another Madueke corner but couldn’t get his contact right and ballooned it over the bar.
With an hour on the clock, Arteta responded with two changes of his own with Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli replacing Havertz and Madueke (who was limping slightly as he came off).
Eventually the Gunners did get their all-important third and it came from Gyokeres who made up for his earlier miss with some classic centre forward play, getting ahead of his man before squeezing a volley past Darlow in the Leeds goal. 0-3.
It was great play from Martinelli to create the chance, who nipped ahead of Struijk out wide before delivering the ball into Gyokeres and his strength was too much for Bogle on the penalty spot.
Gabriel Jesus and Riccardo Calafiori were also introduced and the Brazilian had two golden chances to get on the scoresheet, but he scuffed one effort after being played through by Declan Rice before a second header was well saved after Timber found him with a perfect cross.
But Jesus would eventually get his goal and he took it really well after pinning Struijk, turning in the box and placing a shot into the bottom corner. For a smaller player, his strength and ability to hold off defenders in tight spaces has always been impressive. 0-4.
There were more chances for Arsenal with Calafiori and Gabriel both finding themselves unmarked in the box, but otherwise this was the perfect away day for Arteta’s men who responded to the Manchester United defeat convincingly.
All eyes turn to Chelsea on Tuesday with a date at Wembley at stake.