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Analysis of the match between Leeds United and Arsenal
Manchester City’s run of four consecutive winless matches at the start of 2026 should have been a golden opportunity for Arsenal to build a safe gap at the top of the table. However, the Gunners failed to capitalize on this advantage, which is clearly a worrying sign. In the past, whenever Man City were locked in title races with Liverpool or Arsenal themselves, they almost always punished rivals who slipped up repeatedly. The Citizens are well known for ruthlessly exploiting such chances to extend their lead – a hallmark of a true champion.
By contrast, Arsenal wasted numerous opportunities to pull away in January. As a result, after three consecutive matches without a win, their lead over Man City has been reduced to just four points. The psychological momentum has therefore shifted, with Arsenal now carrying greater pressure in the title race.
The decline in Arsenal’s overall performance is easy to see. In many matches, they struggle to create breakthroughs and often rely on set pieces to score. Key attacking players such as Saka, Odegaard and Gyokeres are not at their best form. Among the midfield and attacking unit, Declan Rice is the only player maintaining consistency, but his strengths lie in control and ball recovery rather than goals or assists. When attacking stars fail to make the difference, Arsenal become overly dependent on set pieces – an unsustainable solution. This explains why the Gunners have slowed down at the very moment they needed to accelerate, especially after Man City endured a brief slump.
In that context, Arsenal’s trip to Leeds this round is expected to be extremely tricky. Leeds have undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two months. Statistics show that in their last 11 matches, they have lost only once and won four times. Notably, Leeds have drawn twice with Liverpool, beaten Chelsea, held Manchester United to a draw, and even forced Man City to fight hard for a narrow 3-2 win. Clearly, this is a tough opponent capable of causing Arsenal serious problems.
Nevertheless, to truly become Premier League champions, Arsenal must learn how to rise in moments like this. A victory at Leeds would not only ease the psychological pressure but also strengthen their grip on top spot. If they are truly worthy, the Gunners must deliver when it matters most.
