Arsenal 2-1 Leeds: 3 talking points as Gunners strengthen top four bid

Arsenal has moved one step closer to playing Champions League football next season with a nervy 2-1 win over Leeds at the Emirates.

The Gunners took the lead with just five minutes gone. After Leeds keeper Illan Meslier received a back pass, the 22-year-old dawdled on the ball and allowed Eddie Nketiah to nip in and take it off his foot to send Arsenal on their way.

The hosts’ lead would be doubled just five minutes later. After a great run down the left, Gabriel Martinelli made his way into the box and produced a superb cut-back to find Nketiah, who hit his shot first time across goal and into the bottom corner.

It only got worse for Leeds just before the half-hour mark when Luke Ayling produced a nasty tackle on Martinelli. After initially being shown a yellow, VAR intervened and made referee Chris Kavanagh take a second look. After a quick glance, Ayling’s yellow was upgraded to red, with Arsenal now firmly in control.

Arsenal 2-1 Leeds: 3 talking points as Gunners strengthen top four bid ahead of Premier League clash with Tottenham

It was a truly dominant first 45 minutes with Leeds not able to muster a single shot as the Gunners swept them aside to head into the sheds two goals and a man up.

After being dominated for the whole second half, Leeds managed to half the deficit with 66 minutes on the clock. A corner whipped in found its way to the back post, and Diego Llorente was on hand to lash it home.

The Gunners were able to see out the remaining half as Leeds huffed and puffed, but they held on for a vital win to go four points clear of Tottenham ahead of the north London derby.

The game provided plenty of talking points, and here they are.

1. Eddie Nketiah Answers the Call Yet Again

We are starting to run out of superlatives for Nketiah. Again on Sunday he showed why he has a future at the Emirates beyond this season. His movement, link-up play and, most importantly, his finishing, were all features of his game.

His two goals were well taken as he put the fans’ minds at ease.

Nketiah was a threat all day, although more specifically in the first half, and provided an outlet for his side with his willingness to consistently make darting runs in behind or to come forward and be involved in the build-up

The 22-year-old is getting an extended run in the side and now he is showing what he is capable of. Tireless work ethic from the first minute embodied his whole performance, which was once again top notch.

It was another superb outing for the Englishman as he fired Arsenal one step closer to their Champions League dreams. Does Arteta need to push harder for this contract extension?

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2. Champions League is in Sight

With Tottenham dropping points away to Liverpool the day before it put even more importance on the result against Leeds. Arsenal was just one point clear with a game in hand with the north London derby on the horizon.

With this win Arsenal now move four points clear of Spurs as they take a stranglehold of fourth place. The result also means that even if, god fobid, Arsenal suffers defeat to Spurs, destiny is in their own hands. Whatever the outcome on Thursday, the Gunners will still be ahead in the Premier League table.

Moreover, Mikel Arteta’s men can do something extraordinary in the north London derby: they can clinch fourth spot with a win on enemy territory. It would be the first time since 2015 that this club can celebrate victory away at their bitter rivals, and the first time in the league since 2014.

Another Tomas Rosicky piledriver wouldn’t go amiss. Or A Mathieu Flamini volley.

The fact that the club is in this position at all after its start is nothing short of remarkable. When the team is announced it is not one littered with players who would start for other clubs, or even start for Arsenal with everyone fit. This is one of the best repair jobs we’ve seen for some time.

Steady Gunners fans, the Champions League is in sight.

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3. Elneny Keeps Contributing

The much-maligned Egyptian was again excellent in the heart of the Gunners midfield. Coming in for the injured Thomas Partey – which are some of the biggest boots to fill in this whole team -Elneny has not put a foot wrong.

Once again he kept the side ticking over nicely in midfield, spraying the ball around and keeping things simple. When he wants to be progressive, he has it in his locker. He should try it more often. And, when the Gunners lost possession, he was the first one to intercept and win possession back for his side.

While not flashy, he has built a good understanding with Granit Xhaka as the pair anchored the midfield well.

The Egyptian was always available for a pass and was not afraid to put his foot in, once again showing that he can be a good squad player for Arteta. He’s been thoroughly professional since he returned to the team, providing the perfect demonstration of how hard work and determination can take you places in football.

While his future is up in the air, he is still putting his best foot forward and is taking his opportunity with both hands. This is the best football of his Arsenal career.

Especially when it got hairy towards the end, it’s someone of his unreal calmness in possession that can’t be more essential. That influence on the team can’t be bought.