This archive report was first published on 19 December 2021.
On December 19, 2021, Arsenal cemented their place in the Premier League top 4 with a resounding 4-1 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road.
Marcelo Bielsa's side was dealt a blow in the 16th minute when Gabriel Martinelli scored the first goal, and things only got worse for Leeds when Granit Xhaka's chip found Martinelli for his second goal 12 minutes later.
The third goal came courtesy of Bukayo Saka's deflected effort in the 42nd minute, which found its way into the bottom corner.
However, Arsenal's dominance was short-lived, as Ben White's rash tackle in the box gifted Leeds a penalty, which Raphinha converted in the 75th minute to make it 3-1.
But Arsenal's substitution of Cedric Soares for Takehiro Tomiyasu proved to be a masterstroke, as the Japanese international solidified the backline and provided crucial links with forwards Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
Tomiyasu's return from an ankle injury was a welcome boost for Arteta's side, and he played a key role in Arsenal's fourth goal, which came in the 82nd minute courtesy of Martin Odegaard's dink pass to Rowe.
