Arsenal vs Leeds LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today after Nketiah double
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds: The Gunners moved four points clear of rivals Spurs in the race to finish in the Premier League’s top four
Arsenal’s five-season exile from the Champions League is closer to ending after Eddie Nketiah’s double secured a 2-1 win over Leeds to strengthen the team’s hold on fourth place in the Premier League on Sunday.
If it wins at Tottenham on Thursday, Arsenal will qualify for the Champions League with two games to spare after its fifth-place north London rival dropped points in a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Saturday.
Arsenal moved four points ahead of Tottenham thanks to Nketiah’s two goals in the opening 10 minutes as Leeds dropped into the relegation zone.
The former Leeds loanee capitalized on a poor touch from Illan Meslier and tapped home. Nketiah’s second was a well-taken finish from 12 yards (meters), turning in Gabriel Martinelli’s low cross.
Leeds was reduced to 10 men in the 27th when captain Luke Ayling was sent off for a two-footed challenge on Martinelli. Referee Chris Kavanagh initially booked the defender before upgrading the card after being advised to watch a replay on the VAR pitch-side monitor.
Leeds gave itself a chance of a surprise comeback in the 66th when Diego Llorente turned in a shot at the back post but there was no equalizer from Jesse Marsch’s side.
There is a tight scrap to avoid joining Watford and Norwich in being relegated. Burnley is only above Leeds, and out of the drop zone, due to its superior goal difference with three games remaining, while Everton is a point from danger.
Arsenal 2-0 Leeds
Arsenal 2-0 Leeds: Ayling sent off!
It’s a horror tackle from Ayling!
Only a yellow, he dives in studs up, Martinelli wiped out.
VAR asks Chris Kavanagh to check, that means one thing!
Yes, it’s a red for Ayling, Raphinha treading a fine line too. He's furious with the referee and has to be dragged away by his teammates.
Arsenal 2-0 Leeds
It’s quietened down since the second, but Arsenal very much taking the fizz out of this and playing patiently out of the back.
This game could be done by half-time, but a maturity to this Arsenal side now creeping in perhaps.
Martinelli happy to drag his man back into his own half to keep possession.
But suddenly Arsenal in again! Cedric chips it over the top to Saka, he cuts it back to Odegaard, who executes a sensational piece of skill to open the space inside the box.
It comes back to Cedric on the edge of the area, he blazes over. Lovely football though.
Arsenal 2-0 Leeds: Nketiah finishes superb Martinelli run and assist
GOAL! Nketiah doubles Arsenal’s lead, 2-0!
This is some start from Arsenal, sensational wing play by Martinelli, he gets around his man and then has the vision to pick out Nketiah.
In his form, that’s an easy finish, crisp, leaning back and guided past Meslier. He’s on fire!
Arsenal 1-0 Leeds: Nketiah hands hosts the lead!
GOAL! Nketiah strikes, it’s a howler for Meslier, 1-0 Arsenal!
Tremendous work from Nketiah, he closes down Meslier and the Leeds goalkeeper can’t sort his feet out in time as the ball comes across the goal mouth.
The Arsenal youngster is in like a flash and tackles it into the empty net. A great reward for Nketiah’s newfound industry leading the line for the Gunners.
Arsenal 0-0 Leeds
Junior Firpo straight into the back of Saka, a crude tackle, and a dangerous free-kick for the Gunners already after two minutes.
Whipped in by Odegaard but headed clear by Leeds.
It’s all down Arsenal’s right early on, Cedric and Saka combining neatly.
Arsenal 0-0 Leeds
A lively atmosphere at the Emirates, Leeds in all blue, the Gunners in their traditional colours.
The sun is out in north London too, perfect playing conditions as the hosts start out on top.
Arsenal vs Leeds: Team news
Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Cedric, Elneny, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Nketiah
Leeds XI: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Llorente, Firpo, Klich, Phillips, Raphinha, Gelhardt, Harrison, James
David Seaman praises Aaron Ramsdale for grabbing Arsenal chance with both hands
David Seaman has praised Aaron Ramsdale for taking his chance at Arsenal with both hands as he continues to tutor the England goalkeeper.
Ramsdale has established himself as first choice between the posts at the Emirates Stadium but, despite Seaman being a big fan, he is not afraid to dish out the tough love.
Signed from Sheffield United last summer for a reported £24million, plenty of eyebrows were raised as the Gunners brought in a goalkeeper with consecutive Premier League relegations on his CV.
David Seaman praises Aaron Ramsdale for grabbing Arsenal chance with both hands
Ramsdale has established himself as first choice between the posts at the Emirates Stadium.
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