LEEDS, England -- Whatever fate awaits Arsenal in this Premier League title race, they are determined to do it their way. Much of the fallout from last weekend's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United centered on suggestions the Gunners have to do something different from here to win their first league crown since 2004.
Mikel Arteta spoke of a clear-the-air meeting a day later in which they vowed to "live and play with enjoyment ... courage ... and conviction they are going to win it."
Dropping captain Martin Ødegaard against Leeds hinted at something different. But in the end, they thrashed Leeds United 4-0 on Saturday with a performance that was quintessentially Arteta's Arsenal.
One goal from a recycled corner, another direct from a corner, a Viktor Gyökeres close-range finish and substitute Gabriel Jesus' late strike secured a win that extends their lead at the top of the table back to seven points.
It wasn't necessarily "fun" -- the football was one again formulaic -- but it was Arsenal at their effective best. They strangled the life out of Leeds and their vociferous Elland Road crowd with a level of control they only momentarily threatened to relinquish as the home side tried to rouse themselves early in the second half.
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