Arsenal matched Manchester City 's 4-1 victory on Saturday to restore their eight-point lead in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners swatted aside an improved Leeds outfit thanks to a brace from Gabriel Jesus on his first start in nearly five months, and strikes from Ben White and Granit Xhaka. Rasmus Kristensen grabbed a consolation goal for the visitors but it never felt like an upset was on the cards in North London.
With a routine win, Mikel Arteta 's side maintained their comfortable lead at the summit following City City's 4-1 victory at home to Liverpool earlier on Saturday. Arsenal will face plenty of tougher challenges than this one, but the Gunners cleared their first hurdle in the final stretch of the campaign with ease to record their seventh successive league win.
Here are six talking points from the Emirates.
1. Saka's streak comes to an end
Between the night of December 2, 2021 - when Arsenal lost 3-2 to Manchester United at Old Trafford - and Saturday afternoon, Bukayo Saka started all 52 of the Gunners' Premier League games, epitomising how important he's become to Mikel Arteta's side. That streak came to an end when Leeds arrived at the Emirates, as Arteta chose to bench him following an issue in midweek.
Saka had started both of England's Euro 2024 qualifying fixtures over the international break, but a blight of illness prompted the Gunners boss to give him some extra recovery time. "He was unable to train yesterday," Arteta told BBC Radio 5Live pre-match when asked about Saka's absence. "He's feeling a little better today. We might still see him at some point."
He certainly did midway through the half, although he didn't register a goal or assist to continue his rich vein of form.
2. Jesus back with a bang
With Saka watching from the sidelines, Arteta opted to hand Gabriel Jesus his first Premier League start in nearly five months. Having suffered a serious knee injury while representing Brazil at the World Cup, the 25-year-old striker has endured a painstaking rehabilitation period and has had to be patient since first returning to the Arsenal setup.
But it will've all felt worth it when, after Jesus was clipped by Leeds captain Luke Ayling on the left-hand side of the penalty area, referee Darren England pointed to the spot. Gunners captain Martin Odegaard at first looked like he'd be the taker, only to hand the ball to Jesus once Leeds' protests were over and the 18-yard box was cleared.
It's becoming a familiar tactic in the Premier League and Odegaard's savvy thinking allowed his team-mate to calmly step up and send Illan Meslier the wrong way with a no-look effort. The cooly-taken goal was the Brazilian's first since a strike in the North London Derby on October 1 and it gave Arsenal a 1-0 lead at half-time.
3. White's perfect response to Southgate
Anyone who got stuck in the half-time queues on the concourse will've been gutted to hear the cheers around them two minutes after the restart. Former Leeds loanee Ben White, whose only other Premier League goal this season came in the epic comeback win against Bournemouth, once again suck around the back and easily tapped home a wicked cross from Gabriel Martinelli.
The 25-year-old, who's thrived at right-back role this season, wasn't selected by Gareth Southgate for the latest England squad last month but his defensive qualities are clear for all to see. His knack of getting on the scoresheet is becoming a feather in his cap, too.
4. Trossard's routine trickery
Gabriel Jesus may've got the goal but Arsenal's third of the game - which signalled his departure for Bukayo Saka - truly belonged to Leandro Trossard. Weaving around on the right of Leeds' box, the Belgian forward toyed with the opposition defence before snapping the ball back across goal into the path of the onrushing Jesus, keenly anticipating the cut-back.
Trossard's arrival from Brighton in January has offered Arteta another dimension in attack and proved a wise signing, helping Arsenal to a series of routine wins such as this one. Buy when you're on top, as they say.
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5. Clean sheet escapes Ramsdale again
If you've watched the Amazon documentary: All or Nothing, you'll know just how upset Aaron Ramsdale gets even after a win if Arsenal have conceded. Just like in the Gunners' last game, a 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace, Arteta's side let in a second-half goal (before scoring again, it's worth noting) which means they've now only kept one clean sheet in their last six games.
Rasmus Kristensen's shot deflected off Oleksandr Zinchenko to beat Ramsdale after some slack defending and half-hearted pressure. Granit Xhaka was at least able to restore Arsenal's three-goal advantage with his seventh goal this term.
Gary Neville recently warned the Gunners about the amount of goals which they're conceding and it's hardly the mark of champions. Being eight points clear is, though.
6. Leeds in need of home comforts
And what about Leeds? Although they were safe from falling into the drop zone on Saturday, their clear-cut defeat in North London reminded any supporters who'd got a bit too carried away before the international break that there's still a long road to survival.
Barely laying a glove on Arsenal until Rasmus Kristensen's consultation strike, Javi Gracia failed in his bid to cause an upset away to the league leaders. Fortunately, their next three games are at Elland Road, where they boast a much better record this season.
Tuesday's clash with Nottingham Forest is frankly huge, as is Sunday's game against Crystal Palace before welcoming Liverpool eight days later. Gracia knows how to get a team in shape for survival, but time is against him with 10 games to go.
