Arsenal edge 10-man Leeds to solidify fourth ahead of Spurs clash

Arsenal will take a four-point gap to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when they face Tottenham on Thursday, live on Sky Sports, after securing a nervy 2-1 win over 10-man Leeds United, who dropped into the bottom three.

Following Spurs’ 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Saturday night, the Gunners knew a win would see them solidify fourth place ahead of a crunch north London derby and they got the perfect start as Eddie Nketiah’s double inside the first 10 minutes set them on the path to victory.

Leeds struggled to get any foothold in the game and their fate was sealed when Luke Ayling was sent off for a two-footed lunge on Gabriel Martinelli, after a VAR intervention saw his initial booking upgraded to red card.

After the break, Leeds grabbed a lifeline from out of nowhere as Diego Llorente squeezed his strike in at the far post to set up a tense finish, but the Gunners, who were hanging on at the end, clung on for what eventually was a very nervy victory.

It sets up a huge game on Thursday (kick off 7.45pm) when the Gunners, who are now just one point behind third-placed Chelsea, could seal Champions League football with a victory over rivals Spurs.

Meanwhile, a disappointing day for Leeds – who put in a spirited second-half display – ends with them in the relegation zone with three games to go after Everton’s 2-1 victory at Leicester.

More to follow…

What’s next for Arsenal & Leeds?

Arsenal are back in action at Tottenham on Thursday night, live on Sky Sports, as the north London rivals battle it out for Champions League qualification; kick off at 7:45pm. Mikel Arteta’s side then travel to Newcastle on Monday Night Football, live on Sky Sports; kick-off at 8pm.

Leeds play host to Chelsea on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports, as they continue their fight for Premier League survival; kick-off at 7.30pm. Jesse Marsch’s side then welcome Brighton to Elland Road on Sunday; kick-off at 2pm.