| Arsenal | 5-0 | Leeds |
Rui Pires reports
Arsenal took another giant step towards the Premiership title after crushing Leeds United 5-0 at Highbury, with Thierry Henry grabbing four of the Gunners goals.Arsene Wenger's men now need just six points from their last five Premier League games to bring the title back to Highbury and on this form no one can deny them.
The Gunners threatened early when Gael Clichy robbed Gary Kelly and gave the ball to Robert Pires who crossed towards Sylvain Wiltord but he thrashed wildly at the ball and his effort went wide.
That served as a warning to Leeds as The Gunners took the lead after five minutes. Wiltord combined well with Dennis Bergkamp who played the ball in for Pires to beat Paul Robinson with a sweet first-time shot from the edge of the area.
Leeds enjoyed a period of prolonged pressure, with the lively Alan Smith and Mark Viduka probing in the hope of finding an equaliser.
United rallied briefly as Viduka shot at Jens Lehmann after Stephen Caldwell headed into the danger zone.
But it was the home side who found their second goal on 26 minutes. Gilberto stroked a ball down the inside left channel for Henry who was played onside by Michael Duberry and raced clear to tuck the ball under Robinson.
Five minutes later and it was three, Wiltord flicked the ball into the path of Bergkamp and referee Dermot Gallagher gave handball as the Dutchman ran past Duberry.
French ace Henry stepped up to expertly chip the ball down the middle, completely outfoxing Robinson and sending the Highbury faithful into raptures.
With a three-goal cushion, Arsenal began to weave pretty patterns in midfield leaving Leeds with the difficult task of trying to stop the endless wave of Gunners attacks.
Arsenal continued where they left off in the second half and found a fourth on 49. Gilberto was again the provider, releasing the ball at the right time for Henry to break free and calmly push the ball wide of Robinson and into the net for a well deserved hat-trick.
Minutes later and Pires masterfully played in Wiltord, but he curled the ball inches wide when it would have been easier to make it five.
By this time, The Gunners were well in control and the game looked more like a training session than a competitive match.
The outstanding Henry then went one better with his fourth - and Arsenal's fifth - on 67 minutes, striding forward after a neat pass from Pires and, despite being off balance, he prodded the ball past Robinson and into the back of the net.
The French striker almost did it again with a fine free kick which curled just wide of Robinson's right-hand post.
Leeds gallantly went in search of a consolation but found all paths to goal blocked by the Arsenal defence.
Wiltord, back in the side after months of injury, gave substitute Jose Antonio Reyes a chance to grab some glory, but his goal-bound shot was deflected high and wide of Robinson's goal.
Just to prove he is human after all, Henry missed a gilt-edged chance minutes later, placing a shot the wrong side of the post with only Robinson to beat.
On-loan Gunner Jermaine Pennant could have reduced the arrears from a free kick but the ball drifted wide of Lehmann's goal.
Reyes should have made it six, seconds before the end but instead of passing to Henry, he opted to try and beat Robinson who smothered the danger smartly.
But nothing could spoil Henry's evening, as he once again showed the world that he is truly one of the game's best players.
| Arsenal | Leeds United | |
| Possession % | 53% | 47% |
| Goals | 5 | 0 |
| Shots on target | 7 | 2 |
| Shots off target | 8 | 4 |
| Blocked shots | 1 | 1 |
| Corners | 3 | 8 |
| Fouls | 10 | 11 |
| Offsides | 3 | 8 |
| Yellow cards | 0 | 0 |
| Red cards | 0 | 0 |
 |
||
69 
69 
