Arsenal pushed the struggling Leeds away with a stunning first-half performance in the only Premier League game to go ahead on Saturday because of a high surge of COVID-19 cases among players. The Gunners were up 2-0 after 28 minutes thanks to Martinelli's double, and when Bukayo Saka scored a third just before half-time, Leeds seemed to be in for another beating. The Leeds were missing nine senior players due to injury and expulsion with a dreadful club-record Premier League defeat in midweek.
After back-to-back victories over Southampton and West Ham, Arsenal had reclaimed their place in the top four. When Rafinha scored a penalty 15 minutes from time, Leeds threatened a late recovery, but replacement Emile Smith Rowe's late goal put the game out of reach. While Arsenal's victory kept them in fourth place, Leeds' second consecutive thrashing dropped them to 16th place, five points clear of the relegation zone.