Leeds United take on Arsenal at Elland Road on Saturday evening in the only game of the day which has survived amid the wave of Covid-19 variant cases sweeping the United Kingdom and the Premier League. With four matches already postponed, Aston Villa vs Burnley was called off just two hours prior to kick-off earlier on, leaving the fixture between Marcelo Bielsa’s men and Mikel Arteta’s side as the only game on Saturday.
The home side are in a dreadful run of form which has seen them win just three of 17 fixtures so far this season, and were decimated at the Etihad Stadium in midweek as Manchester City scored seven. Arsenal, meanwhile, beat West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium but endured a torrid week off the pitch as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped off the captaincy for ignoring rules set by manager Arteta.
Follow all of the action live below, as Leeds try to pull away from the relegation zone and Arsenal seek to strengthen their top four challenge.
Leeds 1 – 4 Arsenal
Emile Smith Rowe has scored in six of his last eight Premier League appearances.
Michael Jones18 December 2021 19:33
Leeds 1 – 4 Arsenal
Leeds have 16 points from 18 Premier League games this season, the joint-fewest they have ever earned from their first 18 matches of any league campaign, along with 2006-07 in the Championship (assuming three points for a win all-time).
Michael Jones18 December 2021 19:28
Leeds 1 – 4 Arsenal
Arsenal’s youngsters come to the party again:
Michael Jones18 December 2021 19:26
Full-time: Leeds 1 – 4 Arsenal
90+3 mins: Arsenal sow up the points. They’re going to be in the top four at Christmas. They now have a four point lead over fifth placed West Ham United and are only five points behind Chelsea in third.
Leeds slump to another heavy defeat. They’re leaking goals which could prove costly if they get pulled into a relegation battle.
Michael Jones18 December 2021 19:23
Leeds 1 – 4 Arsenal
90 mins: Just the three minutes of stoppage time to end the game. Mikel Arteta will be very happy with the performance from his Arsenal team. The only mistake coming from Ben White’s tackle on Joe Gelhardt leading to the Leeds penalty.
Arsenal are heading for just their third away win of the season.
Michael Jones18 December 2021 19:21
Leeds 1 – 4 Arsenal
87 mins: Robin Koch’s had enough. He clashes heads with Lacazette before cynically pushing Martinelli out of play on the right side. His actions result in a yellow card and Arsenal have a free kick in the wide area. It’s swing into the box and Gabriel heads it wide of the back post.
Michael Jones18 December 2021 19:18
GOAL! Leeds 1 – 4 Arsenal (Smith Rowe, 84’)⚽️
84 mins: Smith Rowe’s done it again! He starts the move with an interception on the left wing and passes the ball into Odegaard before driving up the wing. Odegaard carries the ball up the middle of the pitch and flicks the ball into the box. Smith Rowe bursts in from the left and hits the bouncing ball on the volley, smoking it past Meslier to restore Arsenal’s three-goal lead.
Michael Jones18 December 2021 19:14
Leeds 1 – 3 Arsenal
83 mins: Adam Forshaw and Martin Odegaard come together in the middle of the pitch. It’s an innocuous knock but Odegaard makes the most of it and stays down in an attempt to take some time out of the game.
The Leeds fans let him know what they think of that play-acting and it’s safe to say they’re not impressed.
Michael Jones18 December 2021 19:13
Leeds 1 – 3 Arsenal
80 mins: A change for each side. Mateusz Klich is replaced with Sam Greenwood for Leeds and Emile Smith Rowe comes on to replace Bukayo Saka for Arsenal.
Are there more goals in this game? Leeds look the more likely team to score again. It’s a matter of game management for Arsenal now.
Michael Jones18 December 2021 19:09