Arsenal have been praised after extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points after the win over Leeds United
18:34, 31 Jan 2026Updated 18:36, 31 Jan 2026
Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal celebrates with Riccardo Calafiori
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Arsenal claimed a 4-0 win over Leeds United to move to seven points clear at the top of the Premier League(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Arsenal have been told why their win over Leeds United was the ‘game that secured the Premier League title’. The Gunners claimed a 4-0 win over the Whites in their top-flight clash at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta’s side secured the victory thanks to goals from Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus, as well as a Karl Darlow own goal.
The win moved Arsenal to seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, with their title rivals set to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon in their game in hand.
The Gunners bounced back from their 3-2 defeat to Manchester United last weekend to get all three points against Leeds, and Paul Merson has explained why he believes the victory will prove decisive in the title race.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta provides Bukayo Saka update after Arsenal injury scare before Leeds clashREAD MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said after Arsenal beat Leeds, Saka injury reaction and big title boost
"Arsenal were outstanding,” Merson said on Sky Sports News. "There was a lot of pressure on them because I thought if they got beat, the scrutiny was going to increase.
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"However, they have gone seven points clear again with a win at a really hard place to go in Elland Road.
"At times, it was like boys vs men. Arsenal just brushed them aside. They were A+.
"I can't emphasise how good a result and performance it was. Elland Road was rocking but once Arsenal got into the game, they were dominant all over the pitch.
"The squad is just phenomenal. Noni Madueke comes in for Bukayo Saka and gets two assists. There were five players that came on in Martinelli, Eze, Odegaard, Jesus and Calafiori - what team don't they get in?
"That was the game that won Arsenal the Premier League. Man City now have to go to Tottenham and win."
Despite Arsenal managing to get all three points in the win over Leeds, the Gunners were handed a major injury blow before kick-off.
Bukayo Saka suffered an injury during the warm-up and was withdrawn from the matchday squad despite initially being named in the starting line-up for the clash at Elland Road.
Arteta responded by bringing Noni Madueke into the starting XI, and went on to provide an update on Saka’s fitness amid fears of an injury.
"So in the warm-up, he [Saka] had a little niggle,” Arteta told Sky Sports after the full-time whistle. “He wasn't comfortable to start the game, so immediately we made a decision to make that change and bring Noni [Madueke] in.
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"And he was ready, because you cannot do that in two minutes. The way he prepares, the way he's waiting for opportunity, I think he paid off today because he really impacted the team."
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