Leeds 0-4 Arsenal: Noni Madueke inspires Gunners back to winning ways for seven-point lead at top of Premier League | Football News
Noni Madueke played the perfect replacement for the injured Bukayo Saka as the winger’s inspired performance gave Arsenal a crushing 4-0 victory at Leeds – and a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Madueke was a substitute until 10 minutes before kick-off, but a warm-up injury to Saka drew him into the team – and he duly stepped up with two assists in the first half.
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Here’s the moment Bukayo Saka was injured during the warm-up ahead of Arsenal’s game against Leeds.
Arsenal faced travel complications on the way to Leeds on Friday, and also lost Mikel Merino to a foot problem this week, but shrugged off those setbacks as Madueke’s pinpoint cross was met by Martin Zubimendi, who headed in for the opener after 27 minutes.
Madueke doubled his assist tally 11 minutes later when his inside corner was struck into his own net by goalkeeper Karl Darlow, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin appearing to hamper his Leeds teammate.
The goal saw ‘Own Goal’ briefly become Arsenal’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with five goals – but he was quickly replaced by Viktor Gyokeres, who scored his sixth of the campaign with his second goal in a week.
The striker could have sealed the result earlier in the second half, but he took too long on a one-on-one chance and allowed Joe Rodon to head back – but he then met a right-wing cross from Gabriel Martinelli – who had replaced Madueke – with an extended finish with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Viktor Gyokeres celebrates after scoring Arsenal’s third goal
Another Arsenal striker still had time to get on the scoresheet when Gabriel Jesus collected a through ball from substitute Martin Odegaard – with Kai Havertz preferred in the starting line-up for his first start in 364 days – before turning and finding the far corner with a smart finish.
The result puts Arsenal seven points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa – who face Spurs and Brentford respectively on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
With questionable form and external factors threatening to derail them, Arsenal passed the test to get back to winning ways. “Outstanding – a brilliant result for Arsenal, the pressure was on and they came and played,” summed up Paul Merson on Football Saturday.
“The match that won Arsenal the Premier League”
Sky Sports’ Paul Merson on football on Saturday:
“Arsenal were exceptional. There was a lot of pressure on them because I thought if they were beaten the scrutiny would increase.
“However, they still went seven points clear with a win at a really difficult venue at Elland Road.
“At times it was like boys against men. Arsenal just brushed them aside. They were A+.
“I can’t stress how good the result and the performance was. Elland Road was great, but once Arsenal got into the game they dominated all over the pitch.
“The team is simply phenomenal. Noni Madueke replaces Bukayo Saka and gets two assists. There were five players who came on in Martinelli, Eze, Odegaard, Jesus and Calafiori – which team aren’t they on?
“This was the game that won Arsenal the Premier League. Man City must now go to Tottenham and win.”
Farke: We faced the best team in Europe
Leeds head coach Daniel Farke:
“Congratulations to Arsenal, deserved victory today. We have to accept that the better team won this match.
“We were also realistic before, we were facing the best team currently in Europe. There is a reason why this team is top of the Premier League, with eight wins out of eight in the Champions League. You need a perfect day, but also a bit of luck. We didn’t have our best day.
“They were there from the first to the last second. We have to accept their quality today, there is not much to interpret today.
“Karl is disappointed with the situation (regarding the own goal). But the key today was that we didn’t find the solutions to create chances and score goals.
“Set pieces are a big thing for them. We gave away a few too many. We have to defend all the corners with precision. If you concede two goals like that, against the best team in Europe, it was always going to be a long afternoon.”
More to follow.