Arsenal’s long coach journey home passed in a flash thanks to a win that did more than end a short spell without a Premier League victory.
It reinforced belief within the squad, underlined the manager’s message, and provided momentum at a critical point in the season — as attention turns to tomorrow’s League Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea.
Adverse weather conditions meant Arsenal travelled by road rather than planned flights, arriving at Elland Road to face a Leeds side who had lost only once in their previous 10 matches. They also did so against the backdrop of a three-game winless run in the league, a sequence that had prompted external questions about their mettle for a title challenge.
Mikel Arteta addressed those questions head on the day before the match.
“That’s your narrative, not mine,” he told reporters. The response on the pitch was as decisive. Dominant throughout, victory that never looked in doubt once they took control in the first half.
Central to that control was Noni Madueke, whose involvement was confirmed only moments before the match began after Bukayo Saka withdrew with an injury.
Madueke said: “In terms of the time I had before the game, it was not much, maybe five minutes to warm up and go out and play. It’s the first time that’s happened to me, so I was just happy that I was going to get to play from the start, to be honest.”
The winger responded with his most influential performance since joining Arsenal from Chelsea in the summer, a move that had been questioned publicly by some supporters. His assist for Martin Zubimendi’s opening goal was precise, while his corner delivery shortly afterwards forced a Karl Darlow spill that left Leeds with too much to do. Second-half goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus secured the victory.
Madueke added: “As an attacker, you always try and make an impact in an attacking sense, whether you can score or create goals or create chances, wreak havoc and pose a threat, so I’m happy that I was able to do that.”
With a World Cup approaching this summer, Madueke’s display was a reminder that he is capable of competing with Saka at club level and placing himself in the conversation for England selection. But first comes his old club.
“It’s massive,” he said. “Obviously, our last couple of performances in the Premier League haven’t been the greatest in terms of results but this was a real statement. Focusing on our game on Tuesday is now what’s important for us. We know what’s at stake and what we need to do.”
Arteta was quick to highlight Madueke’s readiness and the broader contribution across the squad, particularly the physical and tactical discipline shown throughout the match.
“We keep telling them to be ready because the most unexpected moments are going to be thrown in the battle, and it happened in the warm up,” Arteta said. “Noni was certainly ready. The way he prepares every day is fantastic, and he made a difference for the team.
“You talk about the strikers and their goals, but the work rate and the strength that they showed, again both the starters and the finishers.
“When you talk about that combination, how we share the minutes and the impact that each player can have in his role, I think it was the perfect example.”
Arteta also acknowledged the scale of the task at Elland Road: “It’s very difficult to [win 4-0 at Leeds], let’s see who is the next team that does it, but we did it in a moment when we needed it. We really wanted to enjoy this venue, the stadium, the challenge, and the team played with unbelievable conviction.”
For Leeds, the focus is also obvious. They have the best part of a week’s rest before hosting relegation rivals Nottingham Forest in a hugely significant match under the Elland Road lights on Friday.
Captain Ethan Ampadu stated: “We have got to put this one to bed now, learn from the mistakes. When you play against top teams, you have to say that they have got a lot of quality. No matter what, there is going to be a lot of ups and downs throughout the rest of the season, not just for us, but other teams as well.”
LEEDS UTD: Darlow 5, Bogle 6, Struijk 6, Rodon 6, Ampadu 6, Justin 5 (Longstaff 46), Gruev 5 (Okafor 46), Stach 6 (Gnonto 81), Aaronson 5 (Buonanotte 71), Gudmondsson 6, Calvert-Lewin 5 (Piroe 85).
ARSENAL: Raya 6, Timber 7, Saliba 6, Gabriel 7, Hincapie 6 (Calafiori 75), Zubimendi 7, Rice 7, Havertz 6 (Odegaard 61), Madueke 8 (Martinelli 61), Trossard 6 (Eze 81), Gyokeres 7 (Jesus 76).
Referee: Stuart Attwell 4.
