Noni Madueke was the perfect replacement for the injured Bukayo Saka and the winger’s inspired performance helped Arsenal secure a commanding 4-0 victory over Leeds, moving them seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Maduke was a substitute until 10 minutes before kick-off, but was drafted into the team after Saka was injured during the warm-up, and stepped up in style with two assists in the first half.
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This is the moment Bukayo Saka was injured during the warm-up ahead of Arsenal’s game against Leeds.
Arsenal suffered travel problems en route to Friday’s game against Leeds and lost Mikel Merino to a foot injury again this week, but they overcame that setback by opening the scoring in the 27th minute when Martin Zvimendi headed home Madueke’s pinpoint cross.
Maduke doubled his assist tally after 11 minutes when Dominic Calvert-Lewin appeared to get in the way of his Leeds team-mate, but his inswinging corner was deflected into his own net by goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
The goal briefly brought Arsenal’s current record for top scorers in the Premier League this season to five, but it was quickly superseded by Victor Gokeres, who scored his sixth goal of the season and his second in a week.
The striker could have decided the result early in the second half, but took too long on a one-on-one chance and allowed Joe Rodon to fire back. But then, with just over 20 minutes remaining, he scored a goal after meeting a cross from the right from Gabriel Martinelli, who had replaced Madueke.
Victor Gokeres celebrates after scoring Arsenal’s third goal
Arsenal’s other striker still had time to get on the scoresheet when Gabriel Jesus picked up a through ball from substitute Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, selected to start for the first time in 364 days, spun into the far corner with a smart finish.
The result puts Arsenal seven points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa, who will face Spurs and Brentford respectively on Super Sunday, which will be broadcast on Sky Sports.
Despite doubts about form and external factors threatening to derail the team, Arsenal have passed a test to get back to winning ways. Paul Merson summed it up on Saturday’s Soccer Show: “Great. Great result for Arsenal. The pressure was on but they came and performed.”
“The match in which Arsenal won the Premier League”
Paul Merson speaks on Soccer Saturday:
“Arsenal were outstanding and there was a lot of pressure on them because I thought if we lost there would be more scrutiny.
“But they went seven points clear again with a win at a very difficult venue, Elland Road.
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Paul Merson believes Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Leeds will be the Gunners’ title-clinching game this season.
“At times it was like men against men. Arsenal ignored them. They were A+.
“I can’t stress enough how good the result and performance was. Elland Road were shaky, but once Arsenal entered the game they were dominant all over the pitch.
“This team is just phenomenal. Noni Maduke came on for Bukayo Saka and got two assists. Five players played: Martinelli, Eze, Odegaard, Jesus and Calafioli, but which team doesn’t have them?”
“That game decided Arsenal to win the Premier League. Man City must go to Tottenham and win.”
Falke: We played against the best team in Europe
Leeds head coach Daniel Farke:
“Congratulations to Arsenal. It was a well-deserved victory today. We have to accept that the better team won this game.
“We used to be realistic too. We played against the best team in Europe right now. There’s a reason why this team has won eight out of eight games in the Champions League and is sitting at the top of the Premier League. You need a perfect day, but you also need some luck. We didn’t have the best day.”
“They were on top of their game from the beginning to the last moment. We have to accept their quality today, but there is not much that can be interpreted from today.
“Karl is disappointed with the situation (regarding the own goal). But the key today was that we didn’t find solutions to create chances and score goals.”
“Set-pieces are a big theme for them. We conceded too many goals away. We have to defend every corner properly. It’s always going to be a long afternoon when you concede two goals like this against the best team in Europe.”
Analysis: Arsenal embrace the hustle and bustle of title contention
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Arsenal’s Declan Rice is facing tough questions from former Spurs player and manager Tim Sherwood.
Sam Blitz of Sky Sports at Elland Road:
Mikel Arteta held a meeting with Arsenal players this week following last weekend’s defeat to Manchester United. The Arsenal manager said the meeting was “fantastic” and the topic was how the team would deal with noise.
Arsenal were in a slump. The best defense in the league was leaking goals, the attack was faltering, and debates arose over who should be center forward and who should play behind him in attacking midfield.
Injury topics then resurfaced as they lost Bukayo Saka in the lead-up to the Leeds game and Mikel Merino was also absent. They even changed their travel plans to Leeds at the last minute on Friday.
A number of issues have been derailing Arsenal lately. But instead, Arsenal overcame a thorny problem. After this meeting, seven goals were scored, including goals from centre-forward options Victor Gokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Leeds’ defense was solid once again, with just one shot on target. Martin Odegaard came on as a substitute and played a big role in the third and fourth goals at Elland Road. Substitute Noni Maduke’s performance showed that Arsenal will not be adversely affected by Saka’s attack and that they are not as reliant on him as they were last season.
Their biggest threat to the title is themselves – it is often quipped that only Arsenal can stop Arsenal from winning the title.
After some clearing talks, the Gunners seem to have accepted the noise and are enjoying playing football again.
Arteta: There are great noises and there are bad noises.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta:
“The mentality is good, the mentality is playing with some enjoyment of the situation that we’re in. And with the belief that we believe in what we’re doing and how good we are, we have the belief that we can beat any opponent.”
“We have certainly done that, but then we have to show the same quality in these league teams and it came in great form from the various players.
“We’re talking about noise, but it’s also a big noise. We were the first team to win eight games in a row in the Champions League. That’s a big noise and a very positive thing. But we want to talk more about the ‘other noises’ that are part of it.
“The expectation is to win every game. We are playing against an incredible opponent and we know that to be the case. But above all it has to stimulate your energy and desire to win.”
