Arsenal back in the groove as Leeds fail to add up to the sum of their fans' taunts

Marching to their own tune at Leeds : Picture by @YTJourno

Premier League

Leeds United (0) 0

Arsenal (2) 4 Zubimendi 27, Madueke 38, Gyokeres 69, Jesus 86

Elland Road would not be most teams' choice of venue in which to calm a sudden rush of nerves - but the Gunners passed the test with flying colours.

They endured a tricky first 25 minutes, during which home fans did their bit to crank up the mind games that might unsettle the league leaders.

"You'll f*** it up!" and "Second again, ole, ole," were chants designed to prey on any self doubt which might be bubbling under the surface after last week's home defeat to Man United and successive 0-0 draws against Liverpool and Forest.

"All that money and you won f all" was another jibe aimed at the troubled visitors, who had a setback before a ball was even kicked as Bukayo Saka went lame, with Noni Madueke given a late, late call up.

We need not have worried for them though, as the game turned into a rout.

Two goals in 11 minutes subdued those raucous Leeds fans and the home side looked deflated. Madueke had a hand in both goals too - enjoying his unexpected elevation to the starting XI.

He collected a ball sprayed wide to him by Declan Rice before curling a telling ball to the near post that Martin Zubimendi headed powerfully past keeper Karl Darlow.

And not long after, Arsenal were in the comfort zone when Darlow could only palm a wicked inswinging corner from Madueke into his own net. The goal, initially logged as an own goal, was later credited to the former Chelsea winger.

There was a response from Leeds, of sorts, during the early stages of the second half with a bit of pressure yielding some corners and free kicks, but it came to nothing.

Instead, the Gunners kicked on to underline their growing superiority as Viktor Gyokeres volleyed in a Jurrien Timber cross from close range before sub Gabi Jesus twisted onto a Martin Odegaard pass before drilling smartly into the far corner.

This was an impressive response to suggestions they are once again struggling to cope with the expectations of being top of the league and the pressure of seeking to overturn the runners-up reputation.

Bigger tests than this await but this was still an important statement - to themselves as much as to their title rivals.

Leeds: (3-4-2-1) Darlow - Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson - Bogle, Ampadu, Gruev (Okafor h/t), Justin (Longstaff h/t) - Stach (Gnonto 81), Aaronson (Buonanotte 71) - Calvert-Lewin (Piroe 85)

Gunners: (4-3-3) Raya - Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie (Calafiori 75) - Havertz (Odegaard 61), Zubimendi, Rice - Madueke (Martinelli 61), Gyokeres (Jesus 76), Trossard (Eze 81)

Attendance: 36,858