Mikel Arteta was dealt a blow before kick-off with Bukayo Saka suffering an injury in the warm-up.
Leeds tried to ensure the visitors would also be uncomfortable once the action got going at Elland Road, with plenty of intensity on display while Ethan Ampadu smashed a shot over the crossbar.
Martin Zubimendi hit the game’s first shot on target in the 16th minute, although his effort from the edge of the box was routinely gathered by Karl Darlow.
Arsenal started to turn up the pressure with balls being relentlessly played into the hosts’ box from corners, long throws and open play.
That approach eventually paid off in the 27th minute when Zubimendi headed Madueke’s cross past Darlow.
The Gunners remained in control but were left frustrated when nobody was in a position to convert when Viktor Gyokeres headed a Madueke corner back across goal.
Another corner in the 38th minute inspired more celebrations from the away end, though, as Darlow punched Madueke’s delivery in off the post.
Daniel Farke responded with a double substitution ahead of the restart, and his side picked their levels back up with Pascal Struijk’s header marking their first shot on target of the match.
Joe Rodon then impressively denied Gyokeres at the other end before Jurrien Timber headed off-target, but the Dutchman was booked for catching Gabriel Gudmundsson with his arm as the Whites left-back embodied Leeds’ determination going forward.
The hosts were undone again in the 69th minute, though, as Gyokeres met Gabriel Martinelli’s pinpoint cross ahead of Jayden Bogle to net his first PL goal in seven appearances.
Gabriel Jesus then worked space from Struijk and clinically finished to add a layer of gloss to the scoreline in the 86th minute, as Arsenal emphatically recovered from back-to-back winless PL games to go seven points clear at the top of the table, at least for the evening.
In doing so, they also inflicted the first defeat from Leeds’ last four matches across all competitions to leave the Whites six points above the relegation zone for now.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Noni Madueke (Arsenal)
