Arsenal crushed Leeds United 4-0 at Elland Road with an inspired call from manager Mikel Arteta on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners were delivered a brutal blow before kick-off as talisman Bukayo Saka pulled up injured in the warm-up. Saka was seen clearly in discomfort and heading down the tunnel with a physio at Elland Road, prompting Arteta to decide to replace him with fellow England winger Noni Madueke. And it proved an inspired selection for the Premier League leaders.
The call first paid off in the 27th minute, as it was former Chelsea man Madueke's efforts that led to the opening goal. His corner was punched clear by Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow, but not very far. The ball fell back at Madueke's feet out on the right and his second cross was headed in brilliantly by Martin Zubimendi.
Arsenal star man Bukayo Saka was injured in the warm-up at Leeds
Arsenal star man Bukayo Saka was injured in the warm-up at Leeds (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Just 11 minutes later, Madueke was again the key man for the visitors, with Darlow again the key culprit for the home side. When the winger delivered a dangerous ball to the near post from another corner, the Welsh international got a fist on it.
However, the hapless keeper punched the ball into his own net to double the Gunners' lead, with Leeds never looking likely to recover from the setback. Arsenal are renowned for their set-piece prowess and twice Daniel Farke's men failed to deal with the threat posed from those situations.
Only Leandro Trossard with five strikes has scored more non-penalty goals in the Premier League this season for Arsenal than Zubimendi, who now has four to his name.
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Martin Zubimendi celebrates with Arsenal team-mates Gabriel Magalhaes and Noni Madueke
Martin Zubimendi celebrates with Arsenal team-mates Gabriel Magalhaes and Noni Madueke (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Until the Spanish passmaster broke the deadlock it had been a tight affair, with a dogged 16th placed Leeds desperate not to be dragged into a relegation battle.
Arsenal were hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 3-2 defeat at home to Manchester United - their third game without a win in the league. They now hold a seven-point lead over Manchester City and Aston Villa, who both play tomorrow, as the Gunners fight to end a 23-year title drought and finally return English football's top prize to North London.
Arteta also made the notable choice to bring in Kai Havertz for his first league start in five months. The German attacker, who had been out injured since undergoing knee surgery in August, returned midweek with a goal and an assist in the 3-2 win over Kairat Almaty in the Champions League - his first competitive start for Arsenal in 358 days.
Karl Darlow of Leeds United scores an own goal against Arsenal
Karl Darlow of Leeds United scores an own goal against Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)
Noni Madueke of Arsenal celebrates
Noni Madueke of Arsenal celebrates (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Reflecting on his selection, Gunners legend Ray Parlour, said set-pieces were a big factor. On punditry for the Premier League, he commented: "That's maybe why Havertz has come in as well, the big guys come up from the back. They really do practice a lot the corners.
"It's all about the delivery, where that ball goes, you've got Saka when he's playing, Madueke's taken over, and Declan Rice can really whip them in."
Arsenal looked very comfortable in the second half and just past the hour mark Arteta substituted the hero of the day Madueke alongside Havertz, bringing on Gabriel Martinelli and Odegaard.
Viktor Gyokeres added a third for Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres added a third for Arsenal (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
It was another wise call, as in the 69th minute Brazilian winger Martinelli found Viktor Gyokeres to makes it three. The Swedish striker has struggled since his summer move from Sporting CP, but bagged his first league goal since December and sixth of the season here, overpowering defender Jayden Bogle and dispatching the ball past Darlow.
Premier League pundit and ex-Liverpool star Don Hutchison said: "It's all about the strength of Gyokeres - he does well to bundle it over the line and make it a clean finish."
Piero Hincapie and Gyokeres made way for Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Jesus with 14 minutes of play left on the clock. And then Arteta was again rewarded for his changes, as Jesus found the bottom corner with a fine strike in the 86th minute.
It was a top class finish from the Brazilian, who escaped Pascal Struijk's attentions to convert with aplomb. And it once again showcased the abundance of fine options in Arteta's squad - even when a player as pivotal as Saka is absent.