Arsenal vs Leeds United. Premier League.
Emirates StadiumAttendance60,283.
Report and free match highlights as Arsenal restored their eight-point lead over Man City at the top of the Premier League table; The Gunners responded to City's 4-1 win vs Liverpool with a 4-1 win against Leeds; Gabriel Jesus scored twice with goals also from Ben White and Granit Xhaka
Sunday 2 April 2023 06:35, UK
Gabriel Jesus scored twice as Arsenal beat Leeds 4-1 to restore their eight-point advantage over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
With the pressure back on Arsenal after Manchester City's 4-1 win over Liverpool earlier in the day, the Gunners started nervously, with Leeds having the better of the early chances at the Emirates Stadium.
However, it was the league leaders who took the lead as Jesus was caught by Luke Ayling inside the penalty area, and the Brazilian picked himself up off the floor to convert the resulting penalty in the 35th minute.
If there were nerves, they swiftly went away as Ben White doubled the advantage (47) before Jesus grabbed his second of the afternoon (55).
Rasmus Kristensen pulled one back for the visitors in the 76th minute as Arsenal looked to close out the game.
However, Granit Xhaka's strike six minutes from time sealed all three points as the Gunners, who have now won seven successive league games, restored their eight-point advantage and kept intact their dreams of a first title since 2004 with nine games left to play.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, who started with Bukayo Saka on the bench because of illness, admitted his side's preparations for the game had been difficult, but he was pleased with the response of his players.
He told Sky Sports: "I'm very happy. We had quite a few things going on in the last few days, but the team responded very well to all of them.
On Man City's victory over Liverpool, he added: "We can't control [what Manchester City do]. We need to focus on what we can control and play as well as we can to keep winning games."
Meanwhile, Leeds drop three places to 17th, just one place above the relegation places and level on points with 18th-placed Everton as their fight for Premier League survival continues, but manager Javi Gracia has faith in his players to maintain their top-flight status.
"Nobody has any doubt about the commitment and desire of my players," he said. "They show that in all of the different performances. We will do it in the next game and I think maybe get a better result.
"I don't look at the table and the other teams. I try to be focused on ourselves and prepare for the next game. Don't waste energy on others, just ourselves."
In a near repeat of Philip Billing's nine-second goal for Bournemouth at the Emirates last month, Leeds tested Arsenal straight from the kick-off. Confusion between Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko allowed Kristensen to steal in. He powered a shot goalwards but luckily for the Gunners, Aaron Ramsdale was up to the task, beating the ball to safety.
Leeds continued to create the better chances as Arsenal started cautiously. Was the City result playing on their mind? There was a nervousness to Mikel Arteta's side as sloppy passing halted any momentum they tried to build.
Ramsdale was the busier of the two goalkeepers as he first denied Crysencio Summerville before keeping out Jack Harrison's strike at his near post. Leeds were asking plenty of questions of the league leaders.
Arsenal were flat and in search of a spark. Arteta talked of the chaos Jesus, who spurned a glorious opportunity earlier in the half when heading over Xhaka's cross from close range, was causing in training after stepping up his return from injury, and it translated to the pitch.
He provided the momentum for Arsenal, bursting past one challenge before feinting to shoot and drawing Ayling into a challenge. The former Arsenal defender slid in and caught the Brazilian, and referee Darren England pointed to the spot.
Jesus picked himself up off the floor and calmly waited for Illan Meslier to dive before rolling the ball down the middle to make the Emirates a much happier place heading into the break.
The home fans were further lifted as the Gunners doubled their lead early in the second half as White charged in at the far post to turn home Martinelli's superb cross for his second of the season.
In contrast to the first half, Arsenal were dominating and Jesus soon scored his second of the afternoon to put Arsenal 3-0 up, converting a Leandro Trossard cross from close range.
Leeds did manage to pull a goal back with 15 minutes remaining as Kristensen's strike beat Ramsdale after taking a deflection off Zinchenko's back.
However, there was to be no miracle comeback to deny Arsenal, with Xhaka rising to head home Martin Odegaard's cross to keep Arsenal's title hopes firmly on course.
Sky Sports' Oliver Yew at the Emirates Stadium:
One down, nine to go for Arsenal.
Week after week Mikel Arteta has insisted his focus is solely on Arsenal and not other results. That mantra would have been severely tested with Man City hosting Liverpool just before the Gunners' clash with Leeds.
He would have been aware of Mohamed Salah's strike to give Liverpool the lead but he would have been just as aware of Man City's dominant second-half display to dismantle Jurgen Klopp's side.
In truth, Arsenal played like they were thinking about City's result as Leeds created a number of clear-cut chances in the first half, but in the end, thanks to Gabriel Jesus' double and goals from Ben White and Granit Xhaka, it was a case of all's well that ends well for the Gunners as they restored their eight-point advantage at the top of the table.
There were plenty of positives too for Arteta.
Bukayo Saka, after playing 175 minutes for England during the international break, got a bit of a rest after feeling unwell on Friday. The forward started on the bench and came on for the final 30 minutes which should benefit him for the run-in to the season.
Gabriel Jesus scored his first Premier League goals since October as his return from injury gathered place. Goals have not been the be-all and end-all for the Brazilian striker this season and he proved that again as it was his jinking run that won the penalty to provide Arsenal with the lift they so desperately needed at that stage in the game.
However, his double today is a huge boost and Arsenal will be hoping he can kick on and go on a scoring spree between now and the end of the season.
Thomas Partey was also successfully wrapped up in cotton wool after he was replaced in the 60th minute after injury rumours plagued his international break, while another game has passed with William Saliba absent, giving him more time to regain full fitness for what is a crucial part of the season for Arsenal.
So, it's as you were in the race for the title and that was the minimum outcome for Arsenal. Bigger tests lie in wait around the corner, with a trip to Liverpool up next and trips to Man City and Newcastle in the distance.
However, after a seventh straight win in the league this should be a side full of confidence and up for the challenges that lie ahead. Job done.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to Sky Sports:
"I'm very happy. We had quite a few things going on in the last few days, but the team responded very well to all of them.
"It was a tricky game and a tricky opponent, but overall I think we deserved to win the game. They played with a lot of organisation and desire. We had a couple of moments when we lost the ball in dangerous areas.
"Everybody has to contribute and today was a good example, with Granit [Xhaka] scoring the [fourth] goal.
"We've been really consistent throughout the season. The most important thing is tomorrow and doing things better the next day than we have today.
"We can't control [what Manchester City do]. We need to focus on what we can control and play as well as we can to keep winning games."
On Gabriel Jesus' performance: "I'm so happy for him and everybody that contributed [to his return to fitness]. He brings that quality and unpredictability to the squad."
Leeds manager Javi Gracia to Sky Sports:
"In my opinion, it was more competitive [in the first half]. After conceding an early goal [after half-time], it was difficult for us to manage the second 45 minutes.
"It's not easy. My players tried, but the game changed [after the penalty] and it was difficult for us. I don't have any problems with my players.
"I know we're going to compete in the best way in our next game. We don't have time to complain. We have to prepare because in three days, we play another game [at home to Nottingham Forest]."
Arsenal's next three matches in their pursuit of the Premier League title are live on Sky Sports. The Gunners now turn their attention to two difficult Super Sunday trips to Liverpool and West Ham, before hosting Southampton on Friday Night Football on April 21.
Then Mikel Arteta's side face their potentially title-deciding match away at Manchester City on April 26, three days before they host Chelsea on Saturday Night Football.
Leeds' next three matches are all at Elland Road, starting with the visit of Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night, kick-off at 7.45pm.
Javi Gracia's side then host Crystal Palace and Liverpool, both games live on Sky Sports, as they continue their pursuit towards survival.
April 1: Leeds (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
April 9: Liverpool (A) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
April 16: West Ham (A) - Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports
April 21: Southampton (H) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
April 26: Man City (A) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm
April 29: Chelsea (H) - Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
May 7: Newcastle (A) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
May 13: Brighton (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 20: Nottingham Forest (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 28: Wolves (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
April 1: Arsenal (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
April 4: Nottingham Forest (H) - Premier League, kick-off 7.45pm
April 9: Crystal Palace (H) - Premier League, kick-off 2pm
April 17: Liverpool (H) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
April 22: Fulham (A) - Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm
April 25: Leicester City (H) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm
April 30: Bournemouth (A) - Premier League, kick-off 2pm
May 7: Man City (A) - Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports
May 13: Newcastle (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 20: West Ham (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 28: Tottenham (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
