Arsenal vs Leeds LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today after Nketiah double

LIVE – Updated at 16:16

Arsenal’s quest for a return to Champions League football continued as they laboured to a 2-1 victory over 10-man Leeds with Eddie Nketiah’s brace sending the visitors into the Premier League relegation zone.

The clash at the Emirates Stadium was always going to have repercussions at both ends of the table and the result leaves the Gunners on the cusp of a top-four finish.

Nketiah, on loan at Leeds during the 2019-20 campaign, appeared to all-but seal the points in the opening 10 minutes before Luke Ayling was dismissed to add to the woes of Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch, whose side at least registered a goal through Diego Llorente.

Everton’s victory at Leicester saw Leeds drop into the bottom three at just the wrong time of the season, with Chelsea next up on Wednesday night.

For Arsenal, whose manager Mikel Arteta signed a new three-year deal on Friday, they now know victory at the home of north London rivals Tottenham on Thursday will ensure a first season of Champions League football for five years.

Arsenal FC 2 - 1 Leeds United FC

Newcastle United’s preparations for their trip to face the champions this afternoon were disrputed by midweek comments from mecurial forward Allan Saint-Maximin.

The Frenchman gave an interview in his homeland blaming his profligate team-mates for his lack of assists this season, and said he believes he is as good as Sadio Mane.

‘The day I get a team-mate who is able to convert the chances I create, I will have 10 to 15 successful assists every season,’ Saint-Maximin told French publication So Foot. ‘That will change people’s minds.’

‘Those who have played alongside me know full well that when it comes to pure quality, I have no cause to be jealous of [someone like]