LEEDS, England: Premier League leaders Arsenal ended their mini-slump with an emphatic 4-0 victory at Leeds United on Saturday to move seven points clear despite Bukayo Saka being ruled out through injury just before kickoff.
Martin Zubimendi’s header and an own goal by Leeds keeper Karl Darlow put Arsenal in command before halftime, and Viktor Gyokeres’s volley and a clever finish by Gabriel Jesus wrapped things up after the break.
Arsenal’s first victory in four Premier League games moved Mikel Arteta’s side to 53 points from 24 matches with Manchester City and Aston Villa, who both play on Sunday, on 46.
“To win 4-0 here is very difficult, let’s see when the next time that happens. Big credit to the boys,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who withstood a second-half soaking as the rain hammered down at Elland Road, said.
“The team showed a real dominance, resilience and character and obviously quality. I really liked the attitude of the team.”
Bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers slipped closer to the drop as they lost 2-0 at home to Bournemouth, a result that left them 17 points behind Nottingham Forest who occupy the spot immediately above the relegation zone.
Everton moved up to eighth after Beto’s goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time earned them a 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Saka’s withdrawal with a hip niggle did not bode well for Arsenal whose loss at home to Manchester United last week following consecutive 0-0 draws had raised questions about their nerve as they seek their first title since 2004.
With Leeds having lost only once in their last 10 league games it looked like being a real test of Arsenal’s mettle.
They passed it in style, however, as the depth of their squad was again apparent with Saka’s replacement Noni Madueke making a huge impact. It was his cross that Zubimendi met to put Arsenal in front after 27 minutes and his corner which was fumbled into his own goal by Darlow.
The raucous Elland Road crowd tried to lift their side but there was no way back after substitute Gabriel Martinelli did brilliantly down the right and whipped in a low cross that Gyokeres met with a volley past Darlow.
Martinelli’s fellow Brazilian Jesus, also off the bench, then showed sparkling footwork before curling in a clinical finish in the 86th minute.
Fifth-placed Chelsea host third-bottom West Ham United later on Saturday and champions Liverpool entertain Newcastle United to complete the day’s action.
Leaders Arsenal end slump with 4-0 romp at Leeds
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Leaders Arsenal end slump with 4-0 romp at Leeds
- Martin Zubimendi’s header and an own goal by Leeds keeper Karl Darlow put Arsenal in command before halftime
- Arsenal’s first victory in four Premier League games moved Mikel Arteta’s side to 53 points
Trainer Tom Clover targets Gulf success with runners in Saudi Arabia and Qatar this weekend
- Rogue Lightning, which gave Clover with his first major international success at the Dukhan Sprint in Qatar a year ago, lines up at the HH The Amir Sword Festival in Doha
- Tabletalk, which has finished in the top 3 in 8 of 11 career starts and only failed to make the prize money once, takes on Red Sea Turf Handicap at the Saudi Cup
LONDON: Newmarket-based trainer Tom Clover will have two runners in the Gulf on Saturday: Rogue Lightning is set to line up at the HH The Amir Sword Festival in Doha, while Tabletalk will compete on Saudi Cup night in Riyadh.
Rogue Lightning provided Clover with his first major international success when he landed the Dukhan Sprint in Qatar last February, delivering a first victory in the country’s biggest sprint race for the Qatari emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and his Wathnan Racing operation.
Following that success, the 6-year-old campaigned in the US, where he finished second in a Grade 2 contest at Keeneland. He has run only twice since returning to the UK, contesting the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket before a Listed all-weather appearance in November after a break.
During a conversation with Great British Racing International, Clover said of Rogue Lightning: “He is a lovely horse and he looks to be in good shape going back there (to Doha). We had a right-handed racecourse gallop to get him used to going around a bend and he seemed to enjoy that, so I am pleased with his preparation.
“When he went there last February, he improved his condition in the week leading up to the race, so we hope that will be the case again. He likes the warm weather, so some sun could get him into even better condition.
“It was fantastic to win the Dukhan Sprint last year, and to do it for the emir at home, with him in attendance, made it even more special. The experience was great and it was a day we will always remember.”
Clover will also be represented on the Saudi Cup undercard on Saturday, where the consistent Tabletalk will contest the Group 2 Red Sea Turf Handicap for Emirati owner Abdulla Al-Mansoori.
The five-year-old has finished in the top three in eight of his 11 career starts, and only failed to make the prize money once, in the 2024 Derby at Epsom Downs.
“Tabletalk was placed on nearly all of his starts last year,” Clover told Great British Racing International. “He ran second in two very good races early in the season, at Newbury in Group 3 company. At Royal Ascot, he was not beaten far despite a difficult draw. We were expecting a bit more in his last two runs but he still performed well to finish in the placings.
“The way he won the Melrose Handicap at the York Ebor Festival in 2024 makes me confident he can do well over the 1 mile, 7 furlongs in the Red Sea Turf Handicap. It is still a question mark, as he has not raced over that distance before, but I feel it should work in his favor.
“He was gelded towards the end of last year, which I think will help him when traveling and allow us to target major international meetings. The Saudi Cup is a great spectacle to be part of during the winter here in Britain, and the Red Sea Turf is a very valuable handicap.”
Clover also outlined his hopes for the season and highlighted the importance of his owners.
“We have a great bunch of horses at Kremlin House Stables and we are really looking forward to this year,” he said.
“I am grateful to have high-profile international owners like Wathnan Racing and Al-Mansoori who are keen to travel their horses, and I hope I can deliver some great results for them on the racecourse.”
