Javi Gracia’s Whites went close after just ten seconds as Rasmus Kristensen found space towards the right hand edge of the area and unleashed a drive which Gunners keeper Aaron Ramsdale saved.
Gabriel Jesus then sent a free header over the bar for the hosts but Leeds squandered further chances through Crysencio Summerville and Jack Harrison only to then concede a penalty as Luke Ayling fouled Gabriel Jesus who converted in sending Illan Meslier the wrong way.
Mikel Arteta’s league leaders took a 1-0 advantage into the break and the Gunners doubled their lead just two minutes into the second half as former Whites loanee Ben White converted a cross from Gabriel Martinelli with a strike that flew past Meslier in off the bar.
Jesus then smashed home his second and Arsenal’s third in the 55th minute before Leeds pulled a goal back with 14 minutes remaining through Kristensen who beat Ramsdale with a deflected side-footed strike from just outside of the box. But the Gunners added a fourth goal with six minutes left when Granit Xhaka escaped Ayling before heading past Meslier as United’s goal difference took a hit along with the defeat.
Graham Smyth, the YEP’s chief football writer, hands out the scores from a defeat which left Leeds fifth-bottom and just one point clear of the drop zone following a victory for relegation rivals Bournemouth and a point for Nottingham Forest.
![5 - A couple of nice passes aside, his distribution wasn't great. Almost cost his team a goal coming out of his area again.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjY2NjlkZTVlLTNhYmMtNGM0MC04YzY0LTIxZDcyZjJiZjU5Zjo1ZTE5MzRiNy0zMzE0LTRmZDAtYTc5NS1mMmUwOTVjNzUxOGU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Illan Meslier
5 - A couple of nice passes aside, his distribution wasn't great. Almost cost his team a goal coming out of his area again. Photo: Julian Finney
![3 - A horrible afternoon. Gave away a penalty, was beaten too easily for Arsenal's second goal. Left behind by Xhaka for the fourth. Ball in behind caused him huge issues.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjBiYjcwNGY3LTg2ZDItNDAyZC04YmRmLWI4YWM5MmIxOGU2MTo2Y2E2N2M1Yy1kYWJiLTRmM2UtYjdlZS1mOTE1NDIwOTFmZTY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Luke Ayling
3 - A horrible afternoon. Gave away a penalty, was beaten too easily for Arsenal's second goal. Left behind by Xhaka for the fourth. Ball in behind caused him huge issues. Photo: GLYN KIRK
![5 - Beaten by Trossard for the third, looked shaky a couple of times, got himself in the book when he mistimed a challenge on Martinelli.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjA4NjM4ODI3LWI5YmMtNDhkNi04M2FmLWUxYWJiMTc5YjA5NTowZGE3MGU3Ni05YjEyLTQxOGMtOWE5OS04YTAxMjNjZGRiZWI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Robin Koch
5 - Beaten by Trossard for the third, looked shaky a couple of times, got himself in the book when he mistimed a challenge on Martinelli. Photo: GLYN KIRK
![5 - Didn't do a lot wrong for the goals but didn't have much of an impact on the game on or off the ball.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjEyN2U4NDAxLWY0ODYtNDlhZC1hOTdkLWY2Y2FjOTgxMTk4ODozNzBkOTNmYi1kYTIxLTRkZTUtYjFkMy02OTEyYmU4MDIwNTg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Pascal Struijk
5 - Didn't do a lot wrong for the goals but didn't have much of an impact on the game on or off the ball. Photo: GLYN KIRK
![6 - Worked hard, forced his men back inside into traffic when Arsenal attacked his flank. Wasn't hugely effective going forward but effort was there.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmYwZDYyNjRkLTM5ZGEtNDYzNi04ZDNmLTEwNzljMjk5MzYyMzoxYzFjYzg3Yy1jMzc2LTRlYmItOWU3OC1lOTYyMzVkZWZjOTI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Junior Firpo
6 - Worked hard, forced his men back inside into traffic when Arsenal attacked his flank. Wasn't hugely effective going forward but effort was there. Photo: GLYN KIRK
![5 - Never really got to grips with it. Busied himself off the ball but on it wasn't able to create control or momentum.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjVmYTkxZTZhLWVjZTEtNDkzMi1iNzBlLTliYTM4N2ZkOTE5NDpiZTNjNzgyMC0wNDE1LTQ4YjEtYTk1Yy0zZjk0ODdiYTZiMDQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Marc Roca
5 - Never really got to grips with it. Busied himself off the ball but on it wasn't able to create control or momentum. Photo: Shaun Botterill