Arsenal emphatically answered their critics on Saturday, January 31, 2026, as Mikel Arteta’s men cruised to a 4-0 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road, reasserting themselves in the Premier League title race. The Gunners, who had stumbled through three consecutive winless league matches and suffered a dramatic 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United just six days prior, found their rhythm again with a dominant display against a Leeds side that had proven tough to beat in recent weeks.
The day began with unexpected drama for Arsenal, as star winger Bukayo Saka was forced out of the starting lineup after picking up an injury during the warm-up. Noni Madueke was thrust into the starting eleven at the last minute, and the young winger seized his opportunity with a performance that would prove pivotal to the Gunners’ success. According to multiple reports, Madueke was instrumental in both of Arsenal’s opening goals, showing that squad depth could be the difference-maker in this year’s tightly contested title race.
Leeds United, managed by Daniel Farke, entered the match six points clear of the relegation zone and boasting an impressive run of just one defeat in their previous ten Premier League games. Their recent 1-1 draw at Everton—marked by a goal from defender James Justin—was their fourth stalemate in six matches, underlining both their resilience and their struggle to turn draws into wins. With the pressure mounting from 18th-placed West Ham, Farke had made it clear that his side needed to start collecting victories to preserve their top-flight status.
Despite the home crowd’s energy and Leeds’ aggressive pressing, Arsenal quickly established control of the contest. In the 27th minute, Noni Madueke—stepping in for Saka—whipped in a delightful cross that Martin Zubimendi flicked home with his head, giving the visitors a deserved lead. Madueke’s impact continued eleven minutes later when his corner kick was punched into his own net by Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow, doubling Arsenal’s advantage before halftime. The Gunners went into the break with a two-goal cushion, having converted their first two big chances of the game and silencing the Elland Road faithful.
Leeds tried to mount a response after the interval, bringing on Okafor for Justin and shifting to a more attacking formation. The hosts pressed forward, with Welsh midfielder Ethan Ampadu coming closest as he blasted a shot just over the bar. However, Arsenal’s defense—anchored by David Raya in goal and a back line featuring Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, and Hincapie—remained resolute, snuffing out any real danger and preserving the clean sheet.
Arteta’s tactical tweaks and rotation in midweek European action paid dividends, as several key players returned to the starting XI with renewed energy. Declan Rice and Gabriel provided much-needed leadership and stability, while Martin Odegaard orchestrated play from midfield. The predicted 4-3-3 formation, which had been widely discussed before kickoff, allowed Arsenal to balance defensive solidity with attacking threat.
The Gunners’ performance was summed up by their relentless intensity and willingness to do the dirty work in midfield. "They never looked like conceding and even after the blow of losing Bukayo Saka in the warm up, they didn’t waver," wrote Joe Prince-Wright. Crosses rained into the Leeds penalty area, and Arsenal’s substitutes added further gloss to the scoreline in the closing stages.
In the 70th minute, Gabriel Martinelli—who had been exceptional since coming on—created havoc down the right flank before delivering a pinpoint cross to the back post, where Viktor Gyokeres finished superbly to make it 3-0. Not to be outdone, Gabriel Jesus capped the rout in the 86th minute, latching onto a pass from Odegaard and firing a low shot past Darlow to send the traveling Arsenal fans into raptures.
With the win, Arsenal temporarily extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points, reaching 53 points and piling the pressure on closest challengers Manchester City and Aston Villa. Leeds, meanwhile, remained on 26 points and suffered just their second defeat in eleven league outings—a testament to their improvement under Farke, but also a reminder of the gulf in class between the sides on the day.
Squad rotation and injury management were key talking points in the build-up to the match. Arteta had carefully managed the workload of Kai Havertz in the previous European fixture, and while Havertz started in midfield alongside Zubimendi and Rice, the absence of Saka forced the manager to rely on the depth of his squad. "Yeah he’s ready," Arteta said of Havertz before the match, adding, "Obviously it’s been a long period and now we need to manage that load and the games that we’re going to select for him to start. But there was no reaction to [the Kairat match]. I think it was super positive, you could see straightaway the impact that he can have in the team. So yeah, he’s ready."
For Leeds, the defeat was a setback but not a disaster. Their recent form—three wins, six draws, and only two losses in their last eleven—has provided a platform for survival, but Farke will be acutely aware that his side must start converting draws into wins to avoid being dragged back into the relegation battle. Their next opportunity comes on Friday, February 6, when they host Nottingham Forest at Elland Road.
Arsenal, meanwhile, will look to build on this momentum as they continue their pursuit of silverware. Up next is a crucial League Cup semifinal second leg against Chelsea on Tuesday, February 3, where they hold a 3-2 advantage from the first leg. The Gunners then turn their attention back to the Premier League with a home clash against Sunderland on Saturday, February 7.
Broadcasting arrangements for the match reflected the global interest in the Premier League, with viewers in the US able to watch on NBCSN and Peacock Premium, while Canadian fans could tune in via Fubo and Australian audiences through Stan Sport. The traditional 3 p.m. Saturday blackout meant UK fans had to rely on radio and online updates, a reminder of the league’s unique broadcasting traditions.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s comprehensive victory at Elland Road was a statement of intent—a reminder that, even when adversity strikes, this squad has the depth, quality, and determination to stay on course in the title race. With key players returning to form and fringe stars stepping up when needed, the Gunners look poised for the challenges that lie ahead.