Kai Havertz shocks, one man gets 9/10 – Arsenal player ratings vs Leeds
Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points as they cruised to a 4-0 win over Leeds United at Elland Road.
League leaders Arsenal were on top throughout the opening stages, and they made their pressure pay in the 27th minute as Martin Zubimendi nodded Noni Madueke‘s cross home at the near post.
Madeuke was a late addition to the starting eleven after Bukayo Saka’s injury, and he claimed their second seven minutes before the break as his corner was punched into the net by Leeds keeper Karl Darlow.
Viktor Gyokeres has struggled in front of goal in recent times, but he added a third for the Gunners in the second-half after getting on the end of Gabriel Martinelli’s cross.
Gabriel Jesus continued his impressive return from a long-term injury with a well-taken strike past Darlow in the 86th minute, and it finished 4-0 to the Gunners on a comfortable afternoon.
Noni Madueke – Man of the match
Madueke has come in for some criticism at Arsenal in recent weeks, but he looked like a player full of confidence at Elland Road, despite initially expecting to start on the bench.
The England star set up Zubimendi’s opener brilliantly with a dangerous whipped cross that left a simple header at the front post, then he was involved in the visitors’ second too.
His corner gave Darlow way too much to do and highlighted his set-piece expertise, which gave Arsenal a great platform to go on and seal all three points.
Madueke emerged from the win with real credit for his role in both goals, and he earns a 9/10 rating for his first-half impact.
Kai Havertz struggled to get into the game as an attacking midfielder
Havertz is another Arsenal attacker who has struggled with injury issues recently, and this was his first league start since August as he lined up behind Gyokeres as a number 10.
The German international looked every bit like a player who is still building up his fitness after a while out, as he had just 19 touches, completed four of his eight passes and failed to have a shot on goal.
He was taken off just after the hour mark and outperformed by his replacement, Martin Odegaard, who provided an assist for Jesus’ late strike.
Arsenal player ratings in 4-0 win vs Leeds
- David Raya – 7
- Jurrien Timber – 7
- William Saliba – 7
- Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
- Piero Hincapie – 7
- Martin Zubimendi – 8
- Declan Rice – 7
- Noni Madueke – 9
- Kai Havertz – 4
- Leandro Trossard – 6
- Viktor Gyokeres – 7
Substitutes
- Gabriel Martinelli (on for Madueke 61′) – 7
- Martin Odegaard (on for Havertz 61′) – 6
- Riccardo Calafiori (on for Hincapie 76′) – 6
- Gabriel Jesus – (on for Gyokeres 76′) – 7
- Ebere Eze – (on for Trossard 81′) – N/A