Arteta's tactical masterclass puts Arsenal's title charge back on track

Football writer Sam Cunningham looks at how Arsenal ended their winless run with a big performance and victory at Leeds United to keep their hopes of concluding a 'beautiful journey' with silverware alive.

Before their trip to Yorkshire, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reminded his squad to play with freedom and enjoyment after a troubling spell. They duly delivered with a four-goal statement win that ended Leeds United’s five-game unbeaten run at home.

Following a surprise defeat to Manchester United at Emirates Stadium the previous weekend – only their third loss of the campaign – and goalless draws with Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, concerning cracks appeared to be forming in the league leaders’ season.

So after a week in which Arsenal had their mental strength questioned, their manager took it upon himself to reassure his players that everyone at the club was behind them.

Still, it was not lost on them how important it was to stop the slide.

"Off the back of the last three performances we knew how big today was,” Declan Rice told Sky Sports after the game. “To win 4-0 is a massive win for us.”

In his pre-match press conference, Arteta said it was his responsibility to ensure the players “keep playing with that freedom, with that enjoyment” and to “make sure that that journey is beautiful because what is ahead is great”.

That, however, was not a given on a trip to Elland Road where Leeds had been unbeaten since the start of December. During that run, Daniel Farke’s side had beaten Chelsea, drawn with Liverpool and Man Utd and lost just once in 11 games in all competitions.

With a confident opponent in front of them and their own form faltering, this could easily have been a tricky afternoon for Arsenal.

Even more so after Bukayo Saka was injured in the warm-up – Arteta described it as “a niggle” – meaning Noni Madueke replaced him in the starting XI at the last minute.

"You have to be thrown out there when you least expect it and he reacted really well," Arteta said of Madueke to BBC Match of the Day.

The winger, who had started only seven Premier League games this season, seized his chance and was involved in both Arsenal goals before half-time to give them a cushion.

First, Madueke delivered a wonderful curling cross for Martin Zubimendi to nod in the opener in the 27th minute. Then his wicked corner caused chaos at Leeds’s near-post, leading to goalkeeper Karl Darlow punching the ball into his own net, with 38 minutes on the clock.

Watch: Madueke's two assists v Leeds

Arsenal have now scored from 14 set-pieces this season – more than any other side – while no team have scored more than their 10 headers.

“Today we were excellent in all phases of play,” Madueke told Sky Sports. “Today was a top performance from us. It is a tough atmosphere here, it is a tough place to play. We deserved it.”

He added: "We have been fighting on all four fronts since the start of the season. It goes without saying that everyone is ready when called upon. Every few days you have to be ready to perform. It is about staying locked in and in the zone."

The result was also a masterclass from Arteta in working out an opponent and executing a game plan.

Havertz switch a masterstroke

Kai Havertz was unexpectedly selected ahead of Martin Odegaard to start – the German's physicality preferred behind striker Viktor Gyokeres over the Norwegian's skill and intricacy. It worked perfectly.

In the first half, Havertz helped his side grind down a battling Leeds side who had started strongly. He was then replaced by Odegaard just after the hour and Odegaard’s passing picked off the tiring Leeds players to finish off the job with two more goals.

When asked why he started Havertz in midfield, Arteta responded: "Because of the type of game that I expected, and how aggressive and direct they've been recently.

"I believe that the game was going to allow us more space and the temperature will come down in the second or third part of the game, and that's what we could have changed again with different qualities in the team."

How the performance played out also demonstrated Arsenal’s strength in depth.

Gabriel Martinelli came on at the same time as Odegaard, replacing Madueke. It was Odegaard's pass that fed Martinelli down the right before the Brazilian’s low ball set up Gyokeres to turn in the third.

After a slow start to his first season, following a transfer from Sporting in the summer, the Swede has now scored four goals in six games and is Arsenal’s leading scorer with 11 in all competitions, including a club-leading six in the Premier League. Gyokeres could be hitting his stride just in time for the final run-in.

In the 10 minutes before the goal, Arsenal had only 20 per cent possession – revealing another string to their bow, soaking up pressure and defending solidly before pouncing.

Off came Gyokeres and on came Gabriel Jesus, the forward only just finding his feet following a long spell out injured, and with four minutes remaining Odegaard provided the assist for Jesus to make it four with a moment of skill.

Arteta hails Arsenal's attitude

"The team showed a real dominance, resilience and character and obviously quality,” Arteta said. “I really liked the attitude of the team."

The result continued a trend of Arsenal scoring big against Leeds. It was the ninth time they have scored four or more goals against the Yorkshire side – including the 5-0 thrashing at Emirates Stadium earlier in the season.

Not only did the victory move them seven points clear at the top of the table – Manchester City and Aston Villa have a game in hand on Sunday – the four goals without reply gave Arsenal a healthier goal difference than Man City by three. If the race tightens, that could be crucial.

And it all helps to heap pressure on their title rivals trying to keep pace.

Beating AFC Bournemouth, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Leeds and Portsmouth on the road in January meant it is the first time the Gunners have won five away games in a single month in 26 years.

Now 22 years since they last lifted the Premier League title, could it be the season another long wait comes to an end at the conclusion of a beautiful journey?