The equation for Arsenal is tantalisingly, terrifyingly simple. If they win at Spurs on Thursday they will confirm a return to Champions League football. There was ample cause here both for intense optimism and profound caution.
Leeds may not have helped themselves during an abject first half, but they were still blown away by the insistent, emphatic tempo set by Mikel Arteta’s players. Eddie Nketiah, whose future remains in doubt, added fuel to that particular debate with two early goals; Luke Ayling’s subsequent dismissal seemed to effectively end the contest but, remarkably, Arsenal were hanging on by the end of the game. Diego Llorente ensured the last 25 minutes were far nervier than they should have been, and Arsenal’s propensity to usher their opposition towards a glimmer of daylight remains a problem.
