LEEDS 0-4 ARSENAL: Goals from Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus, plus a helping hand from Karl Darlow, gave the Gunners a comfortable win at Elland Road
LEEDS, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Noni Madueke of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after Karl Darlow of Leeds United (not pictured) scored an own goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on January 31, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal got back to winning ways against Leeds(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal ended a run of three Premier League games without a win by hammering Leeds 4-0 at Elland Road. The Gunners, whose preparations for the match were blighted by the weather in Yorkshire, enjoyed a comfortable victory to go seven points clear at the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta's side were 2-0 up at half-time thanks to a header from Martin Zubimendi and an own goal from Karl Darlow, both originating from corners. Leeds never looked like scoring, with Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus sealing the deal in the second half.
Daniel Farke made one change to Leeds line-up, with Gabriel Gudmundsson replacing Sebastiaan Bornauw in defence. Arteta, on the other hand, made nine changes to the XI which started their 3-2 win against Kairat in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The returning Kai Havertz started his first league game since August while Martin Odegaard was only named on the bench. But Arsenal's game plan was thrown off course before kick-off.
Here are five talking points from Elland Road.
1. Saka's injury blow
Having been rested for Wednesday's dead rubber, Bukayo Saka was back in the starting line-up for this one. Arsenal's vice-captain was looking to end a 14-game goal drought, but his afternoon ended up being over before it started.
Saka suffered an injury to his left hip during the warm-up in a huge blow for the Gunners. Noni Madueke replaced him in the XI while Christian Norgaard came onto the bench.
LEEDS, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal warms up with teammates prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on January 31, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka sustained an injury in the warm-up(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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2. Zubimendi makes amends
It was a thunderous start to the game, with challenges flying in across the park. But after 25 minutes, Arsenal had got a stronghold on proceedings and won a corner which Leeds only half dealt with.
Declan Rice fired the ball back out to Madueke, who shifted inside and whipped in an in-swinging cross towards Zubimendi. The Spaniard was unmarked for a header and gave Darlow no chance to break the deadlock.
Zubimendi made a rare mistake against Manchester United last weekend but he made up for it with his fifth goal in Arsenal colours.
LEEDS, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on January 31, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring with a header(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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3. 'Set piece again ole ole'
For their second goal, Arsenal didn't need a second bite at the cherry - or should we say corner? Madueke's delivery swung back towards goal and instead of punching the ball away, Darlow got it horribly wrong.
With no Arsenal player close by, it was Dominic Calvert-Lewin who troubled Leeds' goalkeeper; jumping in front of him which led to Darlow punching the ball into his own net. The Gunners could hardly believe their luck, but it's clear that their brilliance from set pieces is causing opponents to panic - even when there's no direct danger from an Arsenal man.
Arteta's side were two goals to the good at the break and looked like their old selves again. A quirk of the first half was that 'own goal' became Arsenal's joint-top goalscorer in the league. Leeds, meanwhile, had it all to do.
LEEDS, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Karl Darlow of Leeds United fails to make a save as he scores an own goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on January 31, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Karl Darlow scored an own goal to double Arsenal's lead(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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4. Madeuke takes his chance
When you've got competition for places like Arsenal have, any player needs to grab their chance with both hands. That's exactly what Madueke did after his last-minute inclusion.
The England international's two assists were nothing less than he deserved, with each delivery on the money. Saka may be Arsenal's star man, reflected by the lucrative new contract he's about to sign, but his understudy is a force to be reckoned with.
Both Madueke and Havertz were replaced on the hour mark. Leeds had made two substitutions at half-time to improve their attacking impetus, but the Gunners held firm.
LEEDS, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Noni Madueke of Arsenal celebrates after Karl Darlow of Leeds United (not pictured) scored an own goal and the team's second goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on January 31, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Noni Madueke made an impact with two assists(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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5. Leeds torn apart
Bar a flurry of attacks at the start of the second half, Leeds were dominated in their own back yard. The Elland Road faithful did their best to get Farke's men going but they'd given themselves too big of a mountain to climb.
It was only Leeds' second defeat since November and they remain six points above the relegation zone - albeit having played one game more than West Ham. There's no shame in being beaten by the league leaders but it makes Friday's clash with fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest even more of a six-pointer.