Last weekend’s defeat against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium had set off alarm bells for Arsenal, who this Saturday, January 31, 2026, achieved some peace of mind, provisionally extending their margin over their closest pursuers, Manchester City and Aston Villa, to seven points (both tied at 46 points).
At Elland Road, where few teams have won this season, Arsenal achieved an important victoryafter that previous defeat against United and goalless draws against Liverpool and Tottenham.
The recent bad results had resurrected the ghosts around an Arsenal with a reputation for suffering declines in the final stretches of Premier seasons, a tournament they have not won since 2004.
Before his game this Saturday, Arsenal had the mishap of Bukayo Saka’s injury during the warm-up, but it was the man who replaced him, Noni Madueke, who led the way against Leeds.
The English winger first served a perfect cross to the Spaniard’s head. Martín Zubimendi (27′, 1-0) and then caused a goal against, Karl Darlowin a very well taken corner.
Madueke was replaced on the hour mark by the Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli, who was equally decisiveproviding the assist for the Swede Viktor Gyökeres to score (69′, 3-0).
Another Brazilian, Gabriel Jesús, who had come on in place of Gyökeres, put the icing on the cake (86′, 4-0).
The Ecuadorian Piero Hincapié was once again a starter in the team led by Mikel Arteta. The Esmeralda player appeared as a left-handed back. He maintained a good performance and was replaced in the 75th minute by Italian Riccardo Calafiori.
With this result, Arsenal remains in first place in the Premier League standingswith 53 points, waiting for the games of Manchester City and Aston Villa, who have 46 points each.
