Arsenal beat Leeds United 4-0 at Elland Road to go seven points clear of Manchester City, with Paul Merson declaring the result could prove decisive in the title race
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and players applauds the fans
Arsenal beat Leeds United 4-0 in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
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Arsenal have been told why their victory over Leeds United was the 'game that secured the Premier League title' for Mikel Arteta's side. The Gunners secured a commanding 4-0 triumph over the Whites in their top-flight encounter at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon, stretching their advantage at the summit.
Mikel Arteta's men sealed the result courtesy of goals from Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus, alongside a Karl Darlow own goal.
The result propelled Arsenal to seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City at the Premier League's summit, with their title challengers due to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon in their match in hand.
The Gunners responded emphatically to their 3-2 setback against Manchester United last weekend by claiming maximum points against Leeds, and Paul Merson has outlined why he believes the triumph will prove pivotal in the title battle, reports football.london.
"Arsenal were outstanding,β Merson stated 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.
"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 securing a victory over Leeds and leaving Elland Road with all three points, Arsenal suffered an injury setback before the match even began.
Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal celebrates
Gabriel Jesus scored the fourth goal in Arsenal's 4-0 win over Leeds United(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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Bukayo Saka sustained an injury during the warm-up and had to be withdrawn from the matchday squad despite initially being slated to start the clash against Leeds.
Arteta reacted by introducing Noni Madueke into the starting line-up, and later provided an update on Saka's condition amid concerns about his injury.
"So in the warm-up, he [Saka] had a little niggle,β Arteta told Sky Sports after the final whistle. βHe wasn't comfortable to start the game, so immediately we made a decision to make that change and bring Noni [Madueke] in.
"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."