We recorded an emphatic 4-0 success at Elland Road on Saturday as we ended the weekend six points clear at the top of the table.

Goals from Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus saw us cruise to victory at the home of the Whites, who had lost just one of their last 10 league games before meeting us.

But why did it go so right for us in Yorkshire? Adrian Clarke has gone through the stats and footage to reveal all:

FORWARD MOMENTUM

Ahead of our trip to Elland Road, Mikel Arteta spoke about a desire to see his players play positively and with bravery, and he got that from them. There was a renewed purpose about our distribution, with Gunners all over the pitch confidently moving the ball vertically between Leeds players to create an attack.

We were especially effective in midfield where the quality of Zubimendi, Declan Rice, and Martin Odegaard helped us break the lines on numerous occasions in the second half. From the back, Gabriel and William Saliba were also proactive with progressive passing.

We broke Leeds’ midfield line on 38 occasions, and pierced their back line seven times:

It certainly felt as If Arsenal were producing a greater number of forward passes, and the match stats did bear this out. At home to Liverpool just 57.7% of our passes went in that direction, while against Manchester United it was 59.4%. In this contest, that figure rose to 64.1%.

In terms of a percentage share, this fixture also saw us hit the second-highest number of long passes this season.

Going from back to front a little quicker, we changed up our style.

Arsenal fixtures with most long passes in 25/26

Opponent
Date
% Long Passes

Manchester United
17/08/2025
16.7%

Leeds United
31/01/2026
13.6%

Liverpool
31/08/2025
13.5%

Newcastle United
28/09/2025
11.7%

Tottenham Hotspur
23/11/2025
11.4%

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NONI STEPS UP

Bukayo Saka’s late withdrawal through injury in the warm-up gave Madueke an unexpected opportunity to shine, and he took it with both hands. Virtually unplayable during a first half which saw us run riot down our right-hand side, the winger teased and tormented his markers throughout.

It was Noni’s magnificent inswinging cross to Zubimendi which inspired the all-important first goal. The Spaniard’s positioning created a handy 3v2, but that overload would only come into effect if Madueke could pick him out. Inch-perfect, with enough pace on it to ensure Zubimendi only had to glance the ball, it was a quality piece of play.

He also scored direct from an inswinging corner, swerving the ball with incredible spin to confuse keeper Karl Darlow at the near post – our 14th goal from a corner in the Premier League this term.

Read more Madueke awarded goal in our win against Leeds

STRONG STRIKER PERFORMANCE

Supported nicely by fit-again Kai Havertz in behind him, this was one of Gyokeres’ best all-round displays in the Premier League. The Swede never shied away from asking for the ball, enjoying an above-average 24 touches, usually holding it well before linking with others.

His off-the-ball work rate was terrific, and the front man’s choice of runs was also eye-catching. While Gyokeres will have been disappointed he did not make the most of this wonderful through ball by Leandro Trossard his movement was top class. 

Already on the move, surging beyond the Leeds rearguard before Trossard had even made the pass, it was a chance which owed plenty to his own awareness of space:

When it arrived in the 69th minute, Gyokeres’ 11th goal of the campaign was a classic centre forward’s strike. The move that preceded the goal is worth replaying, as it showcased how clever our passing and movement was at Elland Road.

With our central midfield three spread apart, we moved the ball in a neat triangle to free Martin Odegaard in space:

With Gyokeres occupying both centre-backs (circled) and Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Martinelli fashioning a 2v1 around the left-back, it was easy to free the Brazilian down the side channel:

Martinelli’s left-footed cross was sensational, and it was great to see Gyokeres make another early, forceful run across his marker to get on the end of it, as the Swede’s penalty box nous and strength came to the fore:

CUTting LOOSE

Daniel Farke’s side are physically strong and aggressive, so this was an encounter that needed the Gunners to battle hard at the outset. We did that, but as much as we dominated the hosts, we did score from our only two shots on target before half-time.

At 2-0 down, Leeds’ head coach switched shape to a back four and demanded that his players attack us with greater conviction – and for 15 minutes we had to ride out the storm. Once that spell was over, Mikel Arteta’s men ran all over a home side that was more stretched, tiring, and far less compact than before.

Pleasingly we made the most of that extra space, creating a hugely impressive six big chances in the second half alone. This second-half xG map shows the 46–90-minute period after the break, where we conjured up 12 shots, including six on target:

BENCH POWER

Much has been said about our squad strength in 2025/26 and that quality depth certainly helped us navigate our way past an awkward Leeds outfit. The manager’s second-half changes altered our patterns of play, especially in midfield, where Odegaard floated all over the engine room, replacing Havertz, who had been more of a support striker.

Odegaard was outstanding, claiming a deserved assist for Gabriel Jesus’ icing-on-the-cake fourth goal. That strike saw fellow sub Riccardo Calafiori feed the skipper, who in turn found the Brazilian, who finished in style.

Martinelli was also exceptionally sharp off the bench, assisting Gyokeres’ goal and taking up some intelligent positions as an inside right forward.

Arsenal subs against Leeds

Goals
Shots
Assists
Chances Created

Jesus 1
Jesus 4
Martinelli 1
Odegaard 2

 
Martinelli 1
Odegaard 1
Martinelli 1

 
Calafiori 1
 
 

All of our replacements made a positive difference. While the game did open up in timely fashion for them, they still had to hit the ground running, and that is what they did. 

Read more Watch a full match replay of our trip to Leeds

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