LEEDS, England — Whatever fate awaits Arsenal in this Premier League title race, they are determined to do it their way. Much of the fallout from last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United centered on suggestions the Gunners have to do something different from here to win their first league crown since 2004.

Mikel Arteta spoke of a clear-the-air meeting a day later in which they vowed to “live and play with enjoyment … courage … and conviction they are going to win it.”

Dropping captain Martin Ødegaard against Leeds hinted at something different. But in the end, they thrashed Leeds United 4-0 on Saturday with a performance that was quintessentially Arteta’s Arsenal.

One goal from a recycled corner, another direct from a corner, a Viktor Gyökeres close-range finish and substitute Gabriel Jesus‘ late strike secured a win that extends their lead at the top of the table back to seven points.

It wasn’t necessarily “fun” — the football was one again formulaic — but it was Arsenal at their effective best. They strangled the life out of Leeds and their vociferous Elland Road crowd with a level of control they only momentarily threatened to relinquish as the home side tried to rouse themselves early in the second half.

There was courage on display, and they certainly had conviction. But significantly, this was Arsenal being Arsenal. There was no timidity or self-doubt. This is how Arteta believes Arsenal can win the league: Dominate possession and territory, extract an advantage from set pieces and send on the “finishers” to complete the job.

The combination was a hugely impressive response to their winless three-game run. No wonder Arteta was delighted.

“The mentality is good,” Arteta said. “I mentioned it to you, to play with that level of enjoyment about where we are and then with the conviction to believe in what we do, how good we are and that we can beat any opponent.

“We certainly did that. And then you have to show the quality to do it in this league to prove it and it came out in great ways from different ways as well.”

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The first hour was the most fiercely contested part of this game, and during that period, Arsenal’s physical power and dead-ball prowess made the difference. Noni Madueke only started this game because Bukayo Saka suffered a hip injury in the warmup, but he was their most effective threat.

His 27th-minute corner was cleared, but Arsenal worked the ball back out to the England international, who produced a superb delivery which Martín Zubimendi glanced into the net.

The noise in this famous old ground rarely subsided in the opening 45 minutes, but there was an audible hush whenever Arsenal won a corner. Perhaps they knew what was coming.

The Gunners’ seventh corner of the half was whipped into the near post with such ferocity by Madueke that Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow could only rise above the gaggle of players in front of him and punch the ball into his own net.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke made a double change at the break and they began to enjoy more of the ball, but Ødegaard was excellent when he came on alongside Gabriel Martinelli after 61 minutes. His cute pass released Martinelli, who found a cross for Gyökeres to steer home on 69 minutes, snuffing out any hope of a Leeds comeback.

Jesus added a fourth four minutes from time, collecting Ødegaard’s pass and expertly working space for himself in the box before finishing low into the net.

Leeds ended with just three shots and an expected goals tally of 0.15 — the third-lowest figure of any team Arsenal have played across all competitions this season.

This defensive resilience was the foundation of their ascent to the top of the table in the first place and it returned emphatically here.

“[That control] is something that we want,” Arteta said. “You always have an opponent in front of you who is going to test that and you have to execute the actions and be very, very consistent if you don’t want to concede anything. Really impressive because it is a really tough team to do that and between all of us, we did it.”

Farke could not argue: “They were on it from the first to the last second. Whatever we did, they always had an answer. We were not really able to create chances.”

Arsenal’s attacking cohesion remains unconvincing. “Own goal” briefly drew level as their top scorer in the league this season before Gyökeres’ intervention put him clear on six. After wasting a glorious chance when clean through at 2-0, he continues to face a battle to justify his €63.5 million fee, but his goal will help.

Collectively, Arsenal recovered their power and poise to reassert themselves in the title race with Manchester City facing Tottenham and Aston Villa hosting Brentford on Sunday.

Arteta talked about “bringing the temperature down” in his meeting with the players Monday. But nothing will have done it like winning so emphatically as this, especially as they reinforced their own identity while doing so.

Over to you, City.

Liverpool could battle Chelsea in the race to land Rennes center back Jérémy Jacquet, while Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick wants forward Marcus Rashford to rejoin the club, after his loan at Barcelona. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades

TRANSFERS TO WATCH

TRENDING RUMORS

– Liverpool are set to battle Chelsea in the race to land Rennes center back Jérémy Jacquet, according TalkSPORT. Chelsea had already agreed personal terms with the 20-year-old defender earlier this month ahead of a move that could cost around €60 million at the end of the season, but Liverpool are now accelerating their plans after missing out on Marc Guéhi to Manchester City. Rennes are adamant that Jacquet won’t leave the club in January, so it’s down to the two English clubs to see who can thrash out a deal. But the Blues could miss out as Mamadou Sarr is set to return to the club and terminate his loan at Strasbourg, while Aaron Anselmino will head to the French side on loan instead.

– Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick wants forward Marcus Rashford to rejoin the club, after his loan at Barcelona, if he’s given the manager’s job on a permanent basis. The Telegraph says that United will bring Rashford, 28, back into the fold, even though Barcelona are ready to offer the €30 million option which would trigger negotiations over a permanent move to Camp Nou.

– Atletico Madrid are hoping to beat Fenerbahce to the signing of Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman after having matched the Turkish club’s bid of €35 million, plus €5 million in add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. Atleti look to have stolen a march on Fenerbahce, who are yet to agree terms or bank guarantees. The switch could have a ripple effect, as Lookman’s arrival could see Argentina striker Julián Álvarez move to Arsenal or Barcelona in the summer.

– Ivan Toney has turned down a move to Juventus, as wants to keep scoring goals in the Saudi Pro League to keep his World Cup dream alive, according to The Mirror. Juve boss Luciano Spalletti is keen to bring in a striker ahead of the transfer deadline in an effort to maintain his side’s run of eight wins in 11 games, and has turned to Toney following Tottenham’s refusal to end their loan of Randal Kolo Muani from PSG. However, 29-year-old Toney wants to stay where he feels is the best place to aid his chances of making Thomas Tuchel’s England squad this summer.

– AC Milan and Crystal Palace have a deal in place over the transfer of striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, but the move is being held up by the Eagles’ search for a replacement, according to The Times. Mateta, 28, is currently awaiting permission from the club to be able to fly to Milan. However, Palace are yet to rubber stamp the deal as they continue to look for reinforcements, which include Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.

DONE DEALS

– Former Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin has terminated his contract with Liga MX side Club América and is now a free agent.

EXPERT TAKE

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OTHER RUMORS

– Joshua Zirkzee has long been linked with a move back to Serie A, but the Dutchman wants to stay and fight for his place under Carrick. (Sun)

– Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United have both been offered the chance to sign Colombia striker Jhon Duran from Al Nassr, though he is currently on loan at Fenerbahce. (TEAMtalk)

– Real Madrid are considering Aston Villa manager Unai Emery as the next incumbent at the Bernabeu, despite the Spaniard signing a new contract at Villa Park until 2029. (Sun)

– Fulham have seen a £20 million bid to sign Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock rejected. (TalkSPORT)

– Wolves have agreed a deal in principle to sign former Man United midfielder Angel Gomes from Marseille on loan. The Premier League side will part with €1 million, and can make the move permanent for €7 million. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Stuttgart continue to try and find a way to land goalkeeper Alexander Nubel from Bayern Munich, but the stumbling block is Bayern’s valuation of €30 million. Premier League clubs are also interested. (Ekrem Konur)

– Juventus have reached an agreement to sign 29-year-old winger Jeremie Boga in a deal that sees the Frenchman return to Italy for the first time since leaving Atalanta in 2023. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Chelsea plan to send defender Aaron Anselmino on loan to sister club Strasbourg after recalling him from his temporary switch to Borussia Dortmund. (Sun)

– Leicester City and Birmingham City are two of six Championship clubs interested in making a move for Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles, 32. (Sky Sports)

– Chelsea are contemplating moves from Auxerre and Real Mallorca for defender David Datro Fofana. The two clubs are keen on a loan move with a permanent option. (L’Equipe)

– Everton and Sunderland are both making moves to land 19-year-old winger Tyrique George on loan from Chelsea. (Sky Sports)

– Napoli have expressed interest in Cagliari 26-year-old right back Gabriele Zappa. (Nicolo Schira)

– Bologna 35-year-old forward Ciro Immobile is contemplating a move to Paris FC, with the details of the move now awaiting to be finalized. (L’Equipe)