Arsenal moved a step closer to ensuring Champions League football next season by defeating a disorganized Leeds United side, which dropped into the Premier League relegation zone.
Mikel Arteta’s side won for the fourth time in a row, putting them firmly in contention for a top-four berth ahead of Thursday’s north London derby at Tottenham.
Leeds’ early demise was entirely their fault, with goalkeeper Illan Meslier handing the hosts an early goal before captain Luke Ayling was sent off for an unnecessary lunge on Gabriel Martinelli.
Eddie Nketiah capitalized on Meslier’s errant pass to start the scoring, then completed a quick move to extend Arsenal’s lead.
The Elland Road outfit did not have an effort on goal until Diego Llorente headed past Aaron Ramsdale in the 66th minute to tee up more of a nervy finish than anyone inside Emirates Stadium would have anticipated.
Leeds applied some late pressure, sending Meslier up for set-pieces, but the fourth-placed hosts were never seriously in danger of losing their lead and now hold a four-point lead over Tottenham in fifth.
Defeat for Leeds, coupled with Everton’s win at Leicester, means Jesse Marsch’s side slip into the bottom three with three games remaining.
