That result, combined with recent draws against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, has allowed both Manchester City and Aston Villa to close in during a critical stretch of the campaign leading to questions about whether Mikel Arteta’s perennial runners-up might be headed for another collapse.
The Gunners travel to Elland Road on Saturday to face a Leeds United side who have steadily strengthened their survival credentials. Leeds sit 16th but have suffered only two home league defeats all season and are unbeaten in five at Elland Road, scoring in 10 of 11 home games.
Arsenal, meanwhile, arrive on a three‑match winless league run. Their away record has broadly been strong this season, but only two of their last six league matches on the road have been victories. With their lead narrowing, Arteta’s side cannot afford another slip.
