Arsenal got their first win in four Premier League matches on Saturday with an impressive 2-0 victory at Leeds United.
Mikel Arteta made two changes from the side that lost to Manchester United as Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz earned first-team recalls. There would be a third tweak prior to kick-off too because of an injury in the warm-up for Bukayo Saka – that bombshell saw Noni Madueke brought into the starting eleven.
Both sides looked fired up from the off and were unprepared to give each other an inch. That ferocity might be to blame for a lack of composure among the visiting ranks though as the Gunners let a few promising attacks fizzle out.
They asserted more control as the half wore on and took a deserved lead on 28 minutes. Following a good Madueke corner, the ball was recycled and the Englishman sent in an equally fine second cross, one that Martin Zubimendi turned home.
Player ratings as Arsenal record a thumping 4-0 win against Leeds United in the Premier League
Two became three soon after via the set-piece route and, this time, Leeds did all the work. Perhaps that does a disservice to Madueke, whose brilliant cross sparked panic at the near post and spurred Karl Darlow into a rushed attempt to punch; he would succeed only in smacking the ball over his own goal line.
Daniel Farke’s men ramped up the pressure after half-time but could not find that crucial first strike back and, instead, Arsenal added a third. Gabriel Martinelli did ever so well to create the space for a brilliant, weak-footed cross into the area and Gyokeres was on hand to prod it in from close range to seal the three points.
Gabriel Jesus made it four at the end to add some gloss to the scoreboard and, in turn, help bolster the Gunners' goal difference advantage over Manchester City.
Here are the player ratings from a memorable Premier League away trip.
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Piero Hincapie
Piero Hincapié started ahead of Riccardo Calafiori at Elland Road | Stuart MacFarlane/GettyImages
David Raya (GK): 6/10 – Not much to say here because Raya had very little to do, though he did mop up well on occasion.
Jurrien Timber (RB): 6/10 – It was a standard effort from Timber, who always looked comfortable in defensive moments. He could improve on his final-third delivery as many of his crosses seemed aimless even when he had time to pick someone out but, beyond that, he produced a good display again.
William Saliba (CB): 7/10 – Saliba did well at both ends. In the first half, he took the initiative to drive forward and draw Leeds players towards him, while he formed part of an Arsenal unit that dealt well with increased home pressure after the break.
Gabriel (CB): 6/10 – Big Gabi was not all that noticeable but that is probably just a compliment to the team as a whole. Leeds rarely looked like scoring and it owes much to the organisation and discipline of this Arsenal defence - Gabriel is always at the heart of it.
Piero Hincapié (LB): 6/10 – Hincapié put in another good performance as part of his long audition for a permanent switch. He made one strange decision in the first half, busting a gut to prevent the ball from going out only to give it straight back to the home team, but that is a minor detail – he looks a real talent.
Midfielders
Martin Zubimendi
Martin Zubimendi met the cross to put Arsenal in front | David Price/GettyImages
Declan Rice (CM): 7/10 – Less influential than usual but that likely owes to the stranglehold Arsenal had on proceedings for much of the contest. He never gave the Leeds midfield a minute’s peace and it helped the visitors to settle amid a bright home start.
Martin Zubimendi (CM): 7/10 – Two poor crosses and a weak shot suggested he would not add much in the final third early on. However, Zubimendi was the only one alive to Madueke’s cross and he put his team in front at a key juncture of the match. Great response after the error he committed against Manchester United last week.
Kai Havertz (CM): 6/10 - Havertz marked his first league start since August by returning to his midfield berth. His duelling helped stall the home momentum, while he also had some nice link-up moments with Gyokeres; how might Arsenal benefit from that budding dynamic between now and the end of the campaign?
Forwards
Viktor Gyoekeres
Viktor Gyokeres sealed the points for Arsenal with his goal | Stuart MacFarlane/GettyImages
Noni Madueke (RW): 8 – He is always such a lively presence and had a direct impact on two goals at Elland Road. Sometimes his end product is rushed and he fails to make the most of the positions he finds himself in (happened at times today, too), but it would be harsh to count it against him given the role he had in Arsenal getting the win.
Viktor Gyokeres (ST): 7 – Is Gyokeres now coming good? He led the line with his usual workhorse-like efforts yet he seemed more involved with Havertz playing next to him. Topped off a great day with a goal (not exactly a Puskas contender but who cares?) and now it seems the possibilities are endless for him up front; Havertz and Gabriel Jesus could bring out the best in him.
Leandro Trossard (LW): 6 – Solid as ever, just that he saw little of the ball in the final third and so will go largely unnoticed. The way he holds play up in tight areas, under huge opposition pressure, helps Arsenal to get up the pitch and sustain pressure on the goal, something which contributed to Leeds’ retreat after Zubimendi broke the deadlock.
Substitutes
Gabriel Martinelli (on 61' for Madueke) - 8/10
Martin Odegaard (on 61' for Havertz) - 7/10
Riccardo Calafiori (on 75' for Hincapié) - 5/10
Gabriel Jesus (on 76' for Gyokeres) - 7/10
Eberechi Eze (on 81' for Trossard) - 5/10
Player of the match: Noni Madueke