ARSENAL beat Leeds 2-1 at the Emirates in a clash which brought them closer to a finish in the top four of the Premier League.
Eddie Nketiah scored two goals in the first half and Luke Ayling was sent off for the visitors.
Diego Llorente pulled one back in the second half but the Gunners held firm for a big three points.
- RESULT: Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
- Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Soares, Elneny, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Nketiah
- Leeds XI: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Llorente, Firpo, Phillips, Klich, Raphinha, James, Harrison, Gelhardt
SUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAY
That’s all from the Emirates
It’s advantage Arsenal in the race for the top four…
…but Leeds are sinking like a stone.
There’s no time for dwelling on this afternoon’s contest now that it’s done, however, with both sides back in action in midweek.
The Gunners face rivals Tottenham on Thursday with Champions League football on the line, while Leeds face an enemy of their own in Chelsea as they battle to beat the drop.
We’ll be here with all the action, but for now, while not take in the title race with Manchester City currently taking on Newcastle at the Etihad.
Goodbye.
Extra! Read all about it!
Before we head off for the day, let’s recap on an eventful afternoon at the Emirates with Mark Irwin’s match report of Arsenal’s 2-1 home victory over Leeds.
Mikel Arteta has always known that Eddie Nketiah could be something special, but it has taken the young Londoner a long time to justify his manager’s faith – and maybe now it is too late for him to become a future Arsenal star.
Red hot Eddie ready for run-in
Eddie Nketiah’s early double against his former club this afternoon made it four goals in four Premier League games for the striker, having scored just five in his first 52 top-flight appearances.
More than that, however, the striker was a constant threat for the hosts, both in the 18-yard-box, and when drifting wide and deep to help start attacks.
The 22-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, and after almost the entire season on the sidelines looks set to depart the club.
Any player wants to be playing and have opportunities. Obviously I’ve worked hard throughout this season to make sure I was ready when I got my chance, and credit to my team-mates for helping me play and do well. I’m just happy to be helping the team.
Throughout the season, [the atmosphere among the squad] has been excellent. I really feel the connection between the players and the fans. It’s amazing to be involved, and we’re giving our all to make them happy.
Eddie Nketiah
Dirty Leeds set new record
Leeds have never been afraid to leave a foot in and mix it up, but there’s the concern that their disciplinary issues may yet cost them this season.
Luke Ayling’s red card at the Emirates means he will sit out the final three games of the season, while they took their total tally of yellow cards for the season to 96 – the most any club has ever racked up in a single Premier League campaign.
Credit: @OptaJoe Twitter The latest state of play
Here’s how the Premier League table looks after this afternoon’s fixtures.
Arsenal move four points clear of Spurs, and are now just a point behind Chelsea in third-place. A win against Tottenham on Thursday will guarantee Champions League football for the Gunners.
At the foot, Leeds are back in the bottom three, but only on goal difference behind Burnley.
Everton’s win at Leicester lifts them a point clear of both sides, and they also have a game in hand on each of their relegation rivals.
Match stats from the Emirates
Leeds were a miscued Rodrigo header away from recording an unlikely point at Arsenal despite having 16 fewer shots than their opponents.
Today in the Premier League
The reason for Leeds’ return to the dropzone is due to Everton registering a rare away at Leicester this afternoon.
Here are how the other matches that kicked-off at 2pm have finished.
- Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
- Leicester 1-2 Everton
- Norwich 0-4 West Ham
- Man City v Newcastle (4.30pm)
Full time – Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
Relief for Arsenal!
Cruising at half-time, the Gunners have held on for a win that takes them four points clear of Tottenham in the race to finish in the top four. It’s now all about the North London derby on Thursday night.
Leeds have been beaten, and plunged into the bottom three, but at least have some pride after a valiant performance in the second period.
Diego Llorente’s goal wasn’t enough to get them anything in the capital, but it did demonstrate a fighting spirit that they will desperately need for their final three games of the campaign.
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
90+3. Rodrigo! That was the chance!
It wasn’t an easy one by any means, but it had Leeds fans off their seats with seconds remaining.
A deep free-kick played into the box was flicked on again by Firpo, and there was the Leeds substitute to head straight at Ramsdale.
What a moment that could have been!
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
90+2. Arsenal run down the clock with a throw-in on the far side.
Nobody would have seen that eventuality after 27 minutes when they were 2-0 up against ten men.
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
90. Leeds win ANOTHER corner, and up comes Illan Meslier!
The goalkeeper was at fault for the first Arsenal goal, but could he make up for it in the most dramatic of circumstances?!
The answer is no. The corner is cleared away, and Pepe momentarily has a free run at an open goal, but Dan James gets back brilliantly to intercept.
There’s still hope for Leeds, and they have three minutes of stoppage time to salvage something.
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
88. It’s completely inexplicable but Arsenal’s fans and players are growing nervous.
How has it come to this?
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
86. “Has Pepe even touched by the ball on that far side since he came on?” asks Alan Smith on co-commentary. “I’ve barely noticed him.”
That one stings more than a Luke Ayling two-footer.
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
84. Odegaard takes charge of the set-piece, but curls tamely into the hards of Meslier.
Remarkably, approaching the final five minutes, Leeds are still in this contest.
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
83. Some slick passing involving Odegaard, Smith Rowe and Nketiah ends in a free-kick being awarded to the hosts outside of the penalty area.
It’s about 20 yards out and dead central.
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
82. Jesse Marsh sends on a note of instructions on a piece of paper so big that Dan James has trouble hiding it down his shorts.
It eventually makes its way to Kalvin Phillips, who spoils the secrecy by barking out instructions despite the nearby presence of several Arsenal players.
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
80. Odegaard lights up the Emirates again with a cheeky nutmeg on Firpo.
The playmaker looks a smarter signing with each passing week.
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds – Arsenal substitution
78. After an impressive showing, Gabriel Martinelli’s afternoon is over.
The winger is replaced by Emile Smith Rowe for the final 12 minutes.
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
76. Back down the other end, and there are half-hearted appeals for a penalty from the home fans.
Martinelli’s cross bounces up and catches Koch on the arm, but there’s nothing in it to convince either the onfield or off-field officials.
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
75. Ooof! A chance for Leeds to threaten the Arsenal goal as they break forward in numbers, but Harrison gets his pass intended for Bate all wrong and Gabriel steps in to clear.
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
74. Beautiful stuff from Arsenal!
Elneny picks out Odegaard in space, who then takes a delightful touch to evade Llorente and Struijk.
The Norwegian takes the shot on left footed from outside the box, and it only just whistles wide of Meslier’s left-hand post.
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
72. Gabriel Martinelli holds up the game after going down with cramp just off the pitch, but cleverly rolling back on when the official weren’t looking.
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
69. Now it’s Mikel Arteta’s turn to make a change.
Bukayo Saka is given a rest with one eye now on the North London derby, and here’s a chance for Nicolas Pepe to make an impression.
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds – Tomiyasu yellow card
67. While most of us were still trying to ascertain how Arsenal’s defence completely switched off, Takehiro Tomiyasu has gone into the book for a late challenge.
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
66. Well, well, well.
A first Leeds corner brings a first attempt and results in a first goal.
Jack Harrison’s corner from the left is swung over, Junior Firpo manages to flick it on at the near post, and there was Diego Llorente arriving at the back to slam past Aaron Ramsdale from close range.
Jesse Marsch punches the air in delight, and – out of nowhere – Leeds have hope.
They couldn’t, could they?
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
