Noni Madueke starred as Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points as they beat Leeds United to record their first league win in four Premier League matches.
Madueke was not meant to start the game and was a late replacement for winger Bukayo Saka, who limped out of the warm-up with a hip problem.
And Madueke, who has had to play the role of back-up for most of this season, took his chance to impress as he curled in an excellent cross for Martin Zubimendi to nod Arsenal in front.
The home side had started the game well but Arsenal pinned Leeds back for large parts of the first half, winning a number of corners and throw-ins to increase pressure on the Leeds defence.
It was from one of these corners that Arsenal doubled the lead when Madueke’s curling delivery caught out goalkeeper Karl Darlow and he could only punch the ball into his own net.
Viktor Gyokeres then made sure it was a comfortable end to the game when he fought to get on the end of Gabriel Martinelli’s inviting cross to make it 3-0 before substitute Gabriel Jesus added a fourth late on.
The expectation was on Arsenal to deliver a result coming into this game after their recent form, but they recorded an important victory to put pressure on their title rivals, Manchester City and Aston Villa, who are not in action until Sunday.
