Arsenal Stars Shine Against Leeds: Gunners Reignite Premier League Title Dreams

Arsenal brushed off the disappointment from their previous loss to Manchester United, delivering an emphatic 4–0 victory on the road against Leeds United.

Martín Zubimendi nodded Arsenal into the lead during the first half's middle stages, while Karl Darlow's bewildering own goal sealed a commanding first period for the league-topping side.

Leeds looked to gain momentum following halftime, but the Gunners controlled proceedings with impressive composure, as Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Jesus both found the net in the closing 20 minutes to seal a convincing victory.

Winners and Losers

Winners and Losers

Winners

Winners

Called into the starting eleven at the last minute, Noni Madueke certainly seized his surprise chance. His delivery created Martín Zubimendi's opening goal, and a wicked corner caused Karl Darlow all sorts of trouble shortly afterward. This perfectly demonstrates why Mikel Arteta was so determined to bring the ex-Chelsea player into his team.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has troubled many Premier League center-backs this campaign, but Gabriel ensured his name wouldn't join that list. An authoritative display, where the Brazilian topped the match in successful challenges, helped guarantee Leeds never established any rhythm.

Loser

Loser

On what proved to be a straightforward and controlled afternoon for Arsenal, sympathy must go to Bukayo Saka. Originally named in the starting lineup, a pre-match injury ruled him out of action, leaving Arsenal anxiously awaiting news on the extent of his setback. Meanwhile, an impressive Madueke continues to challenge for his spot.

Arsenal Player Ratings vs. Leeds

Arsenal Player Ratings vs. Leeds

*Ratings Provided by Fotmob

GK: David Raya—6.6: An uneventful afternoon that felt more like a training session than a competitive match.

RB: Jurriën Timber—7.3: Surged forward and back along the right flank with tireless energy. Delivered some superb passes to help unlock Leeds' compact defensive setup.

CB: William Saliba—6.7: Had minimal defensive work to handle, which limited his rating potential, though several wayward long balls also counted against him.

CB: Gabriel—7.5: Relished his duel with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who provided minimal challenge against the Brazilian defender. Gabriel commanded the aerial battles to neutralize any potential danger from the home side.

LB: Piero Hincapié—6.8: An inconsistent showing in his inverted position. Appeared uncomfortable in central areas but made much more impact when allowed to roam the left flank.

DM: Martín Zubimendi—8.2: The Spanish midfielder's clever header broke the deadlock and established the foundation for a commanding display. Protected the backline effectively and happily distributed possession when required.

CM: Declan Rice—7.6: Maintained Arsenal's forward momentum with a constant flow of passes, while also embracing his defensive duties as he helped the Gunners dominate the middle of the park.

CM: Kai Havertz—6.9: Lacked the creative license he enjoyed in midweek against Kairat and found it difficult to connect with his attacking teammates. Simply accumulating playing time represents a positive step forward.

RW: Noni Madueke—7.5: His service into dangerous areas was absolutely outstanding. A clever setup for Zubimendi preceded the corner that resulted in the own goal, and Madueke could have easily registered additional assists.

ST: Viktor Gyökeres—6.9: Imposed himself physically and created numerous difficulties for the Leeds defensive line through his presence. Struggled technically for extended periods but showed good composure to finish Gabriel Martinelli's delivery.

LW: Leandro Trossard—7.2: Arsenal's emphasis on attacking down the right meant Trossard saw less involvement than his colleagues. Fulfilled his offensive responsibilities and willingly contributed defensively.

SUB: Gabriel Martinelli (61' for Madueke)—6.8: A dangerous cross soon after entering the match provided Gyökeres with an excellent opportunity to increase his goal tally.

SUB: Martin Ødegaard (61' for Havertz)—7.0: His constructive impact helped shift momentum after Arsenal's uncertain second-half beginning. Consistently progressive with every touch.

SUB: Riccardo Calafiori (76' for Hincapié)—6.2: Might have added his name to the scoresheet from a late set piece opportunity.

SUB: Gabriel Jesus (76' for Gyökeres)—7.6: A superb strike from the bench to demonstrate his determination to compete with Gyökeres for a regular starting role.

SUB: Eberechi Eze (81' for Trossard)—6.4: Given insufficient time to make a meaningful contribution.

Subs not used: Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK), Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Nørgaard

What the Ratings Tell Us

What the Ratings Tell Us

The Numbers That Explain Arsenal's Comfortable Win

The Numbers That Explain Arsenal's Comfortable Win