Gabriel Jesus scored his first goals for six months as Arsenal maintained control of the Premier League title race with a 4-1 defeat of relegation-threatened Leeds United on Saturday.
Jesus, starting a league game for the first time since returning from a knee injury last month, picked up during the World Cup, converted a 35th-minute penalty after being clipped in the box by Luke Ayling.
Ben White doubled Arsenal’s advantage from Gabriel Martinelli’s pass before Brazilian Jesus, signed from Manchester City last summer, struck again from close range in the 55th minute from Leandro Trossard’s assist.
Leeds had troubled Arsenal in the opening period but once Jesus put the hosts ahead, it was relatively plain sailing as they restored their eight-point lead over champions Manchester City.
City had earlier ramped up the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side with a 4-1 thrashing of Liverpool.
The visitors did raise a few jitters in the home crowd when Rasmus Kristensen’s deflected shot gave Leeds a 76th-minute lifeline but Granit Xhaka’s header secured another three points in Arsenal’s quest for a first title since 2004.
Arsenal’s seventh successive league win moved them to 72 points from 29 games, with City on 64 with one game less.
Leeds remain in a precarious position in 16th place with 26 points, a point above 18th-placed Leicester City.
Jesus began the season in stunning fashion with a flurry of goals and assists and his return is perfectly timed. “Everyone is playing so well. It is easy to come back. The most important thing is that everyone that has come in has played good,” he said.
His persistence and trickery earned Arsenal a nerve-settling penalty as he jinked into the box and Ayling, rather unluckily, conceded the spot kick as Jesus tumbled.
It was a relief for the home side when he calmly struck the ball into the net past Illan Meslier.
Shortly before that, Leeds had twice been denied by keeper Aaron Ramsdale, first when Crysencio Summerville fired in a low shot after a slick move, and when Summerville set up Jack Harrison for a powerful shot at goal.
When Jesus made it 3-0, the atmosphere inside the Emirates Stadium was joyous and the fans left in full voice.
City’s tactics remain the same even if goal machine Erling Haaland was absent, manager Pep Guardiola said after his side romped to a 4-1 win over Liverpool with the Norwegian striker cheering on the team from the sidelines.
Argentine Julian Alvarez, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish were on target for City, brushing aside any fears that they may struggle to score without Haaland.
City’s thrashing of Jürgen Klopp’s beleaguered side kept them eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal in the chase for the Premier League title.
Guardiola was criticised for his exuberant celebrations. He pumped his fists wildly after Alvarez’s goal and then confronted Liverpool substitutes Kostas Tsimikas and Arthur Melo when they walked by him on the sidelines seconds later.
“I celebrate a goal... The goal was nice,” Guardiola said, wiping a hand over his face.
The club also issued a statement after chants of “Always the victim, it’s never your fault,” broke out around the stadium. It was prompted by Liverpool’s pleas to referee Simon Hooper to send Rodri off after a challenge on Cody Gakpo.
“Manchester City are disappointed to have heard inappropriate chants from home fans during today’s game. We regret any offence these chants may have caused and will continue to work with supporters’ groups and officials from both clubs to eradicate hateful chanting,” the team said.
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