Arsenal today extended their lead over bitter rivals Tottenham in fourth to four points today, following an entertaining 2-1 victory over Leeds United.

The hosts started in lightning fashion, with Eddie Nketiah opening the scoring at the five-minute mark after a dreadful mistake by Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Receiving a routine backpa s, the French stopper then proceeded to take a poor touch which enabled striker Nketiah to capitalise and bundle the ball in for the opening goal.

It wasn't long before the Gunners had a second, as Nketiah once again proved why calls are increasing for him to be given guarantees of a long-term future at Arsenal amidst his contractual situation. Gabriel Martinelli showed some good feet down the left flank, cutting back to the poacher who slid the ball home with his left foot from eight yards.

Leeds then went a man down on 27 minutes, as VAR indicated that a reckle s tackle by Luke Hunter Pence Jersey Ayling on Gabriel Martinelli was worthy of a red card.

Mikel Arteta's men could've extended their lead even further, with Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli both going close either side of the half-time interval in North London. Despite being up against it for the majority of the game, Leeds managed to give themselves a fighting chance of securing an unlikely result on 66 minutes.

Junior Firpo flicked on a rare corner-kick for the visitors, which landed at the feet of the unmarked Leeds defender Diego Llorente who finished with the composure of a seasoned striker. Je se Marsch's men plugged away for an equaliser, however, were denied at the death when forward Rodrigo could only divert a late header into the grasp of Elvis Andrus Jersey Aaron Ramsdale.

Despite a nervy ending to proceedings for Arsenal, a win ensures that they can guarantee qualification to the UEFA Champions League and a top-four finish if they can beat Tottenham away from home next Thursday. As for Leeds, they drop into the relegation zone with just three games left to play and may rue their ill-discipline at times today.

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Arsenal vs. Leeds final score1H 2H Final Arsenal22 2Leeds01 1

Goals:Nketiah (5 mins, 10 mins) Llorente (66 mins)

Arsenal vs. Leeds result and highlights

Full-time:After a frantic finale the match comes to an end at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal have defeated Leeds 2-1 to go a point behind Chelsea in third. That's all from us at The Sporting News, thanks for joining us and we look forward to seeing you again next time!

Three points A ma sive result at Emirates Stadium!LET'S GO!

Arsenal (@Arsenal)

Injury-time: Close for Leeds! Rodrigo glances a header into the palms of Aaron Ramsdale, agonising for Je se Marsch and his men.

Injury-time: Arsenal make their final change, as goal hero Eddie Nketiah is replaced by Alexandre Lacazette. The Gunners look a little nervous as the game draws to its conclusion...

We've made our final change... Eddie Nketiah Alex LacazetteCOME ON BOYS! 2-1 (90)

Arsenal (@Arsenal)

Injury-time: Can Leeds find a late equalizer? They'll have to do it in the next three minutes which is the allocated stoppage time.

85th min:Odegaard fires a tame free-kick from the edge of the area into the hands of the Leeds goalkeeper, a comfortable save for Meslier.

81st min:Arsenal beginning to get a hold of the game once again with lengthy spells of po sesion, can they get another goal to clinch the three points in the last ten minutes?

79th min:Confirmation of a second change for Arsenal, as Emile Smith Rowe replaces Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank.

We've made a second change... Gabi Martinelli Emile Smith Rowe 2-1 (78)

Arsenal (@Arsenal)

74th min: Leeds showing signs of life as the match reaches its final quarter, though, Arsenal come very close to scoring as Odegaard strikes wide from just inside the area. Tense atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium.

68th min:First change Ronald Guzman Jersey for Mikel Arteta as Bukayo Saka departs for Nico Pepe, Delino DeShields Jersey Takehiro Tomiyasu also picked up a booking someway during the proceedings.

The bo s has made our first change... Bukayo Saka Nico Pepe 2-1 (68)

Arsenal (@Arsenal)

66th min:GOAL! This wasn't written in the script, Junior Firpo flicks a rare corner for the visitors on to Diego Llorente who sidefoots his volley home unmarked at the back post. Can Leeds record a famous comeback?

GGGGGOOOOAAAALLLL!!! DIEGO PULLS ONE BACK!!! 2-1!!!

Leeds United (@LUFC)

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They couldn't could they? 10-man Leeds back in it!

DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA)

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First corner, first attempt, first ... Leeds are back in this.

Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL)

62nd min: Another chance for the lively Martinelli, who puts his volley wide of the target

Another chance for Martinelli, slices it wide from inside the box. 2-0 on 63 mins.

Phil Hay (@PhilHay_)

59th min:Martinelli fires just over the bar on the volley after a superb team move, very unlucky not to be 3-0 to Arsenal.

56th min: Close! Gabriel Martinelli brilliantly cuts inside before firing a curling shot that has to be palmed out for a corner by Leeds goalkeeper Meslier, great work from the youngster and an equally commendable save.

52nd min: GabrielMartinelli floats an enticing cro s into the back post area which just evades Bukayo Saka's head, Arsenal are getting closer to another goal after a bright start to the second half.

48th min:Odegaard teases brilliant ball into the box which is sliced by Koch into the hands of his grateful goalkeeper, not far away from a third for Arsenal.

46th min: We're underway for the second half, with Leeds deciding to make another change at the interval as Bate replaces Klich in midfield.

Bate on for the second half. Looks like Shin-Soo Choo Jersey Klich has gone off.

Graham Smyth (@GrahamSmyth)