Dominic Calvert-Lewin ‘Should Have Been Sent Off’ in Leeds’ Arsenal Defeat – Keith Hackett
Arsenal delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road in the Premier League, extending their lead at the top of the table to seven points.
The match on January 31, 2026, saw the Gunners return to winning ways in style, while Leeds suffered one of their toughest outings under manager Daniel Farke.
Arsenal’s Ruthless Display Puts Leeds to the Sword
Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring around the 26th-27th minute with a well-taken header, setting the tone early. Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow then unfortunately turned the ball into his own net just before halftime — around the 37th-38th minute — handing Arsenal a comfortable 2-0 lead.
The second half brought no respite for the home side. Viktor Gyokeres added a third with a clinical finish in the 68th-70th minute, and Gabriel Jesus wrapped up the scoring late on (around the 85th-86th minute) to seal a dominant win for Mikel Arteta’s team.
Arsenal looked sharp and clinical throughout, capitalizing on Leeds’ defensive struggles and poor overall performance.
Also Read: Noni Madueke Questions Karl Darlow Own Goal Decision After Arsenal Beat Leeds 4-0
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s Frustrating Afternoon in Attack
Up front for Leeds, summer signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin — the former Everton striker who joined on a free transfer in 2025 and has enjoyed a strong goalscoring run this season — struggled to make any real impact.
He went into the game without scoring in his previous two outings and left the pitch without adding to his tally here.
Calvert-Lewin was substituted late in the match after 85 minutes on the pitch, but his overall contribution was limited. He managed just 16 touches, lost possession eight times, failed to register a single shot, and won only five of his 13 duels.
For a main striker expected to lead the line, it was a below-par showing in a match where Leeds needed more spark up top.
Farke will be looking for a much sharper response from his number 9, who has netted nine Premier League goals this campaign but now has just one in his last six appearances before this fixture.
Keith Hackett: Calvert-Lewin ‘Should Have Been Sent Off’ for Challenge on Gabriel
The day could have gone from bad to worse for Leeds if referee Stuart Attwell had spotted — or acted on — a first-half incident involving Calvert-Lewin.
The forward caught Arsenal defender Gabriel on the shin with a late, poorly timed challenge while running toward his opponent. Remarkably, the incident went unpunished — no yellow card, no red, nothing.
Former FIFA referee and ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, was clear in his assessment: the tackle warranted serious punishment.
“This is a challenge that should without a doubt have received a sanction,” Hackett said. “Frankly, the player has committed the challenge whilst running towards his opponent. The challenge landed on the shin of his opponent, so at the very least it should have been determined as reckless. That would mean a yellow card, but I can frankly find a case for serious foul play and a red card. I see some malice in this challenge.”
Had it been called as serious foul play, Calvert-Lewin could have faced a red card and a potential three-match ban — a massive blow for Leeds at this stage of the season.
What This Means for Leeds Moving Forward
While Calvert-Lewin wasn’t the only one off his game — Darlow’s own goal and defensive errors stood out as bigger issues — his quiet performance highlighted areas for improvement. Arsenal’s quality shone through, but Leeds’ display was well below the standards Farke demands.
Fans will hope for a quick bounce-back as Leeds look to climb away from trouble in the Premier League. For Calvert-Lewin, shaking off this off-day and rediscovering his recent scoring touch will be key in the weeks ahead.
Also Read: Declan Rice Sends Chilling Message to Arsenal Title Rivals After Leeds Rout
Dominic Calvert-Lewin ‘Should Have Been Sent Off’ in Leeds’ Arsenal Defeat – Keith Hackett