Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger accused the rest of the Premiership of making life too easy for Manchester United this week - and then promptly saw his side do exactly the same at Elland Road.

	Gunned down... Keeper Manninger on his knees at Elland Road (RossKinnaird/Allsport)

There may be room for twists and turns to lie ahead, but United already lead the second-placed Gunners by eight points after Leeds' timely return to winning ways on the day they sealed the record signing of Rio Ferdinand.

And Arsenal could only have themselves to blame for defeat.

With seven bookings ensuring a £25,000 automatic Football Association fine, they had chances galore to equalise after Olivier Dacourt's first goal for Leeds, a 55th-minute deflected free-kick.

However, they squandered every single opening.

The Gunners have now laboured to four defeats in their past five games, and November is again turning out to be a painful month for Wenger and a damaging one for his side.

Leeds, who had themselves won just one of their previous 10 games, needed a victory to give their tiring players some reward for their considerable efforts at home and abroad.

Ferdinand, who received a standing ovation after being introduced to the crowd before kick-off, was not available yet for his new side but at least Dacourt and Eirik Bakke were back to stiffen Leeds' midfield resolve.

This feisty encounter was certainly the type of full-blooded game which they relish, as does Patrick Vieira, who has been badly missed over recent weeks by the Gunners.

It is no coincidence that the Frenchman missed Arsenal's three previous defeats, in which they conceded nine goals, but even he could not inspire them to end their finishing problems in front of goal.

	Woodgate slides in to prevent a Wiltord shot (CliveBrunskill/Allsport)

Vieira was not among the four Arsenal players booked in the first-half as the Gunners came perilously close to lengthening the Elland Road injury list.

But he could not plug all of the holes appearing in the defence behind him as Alan Smith beat the offside trap after just seven minutes only to place his chip wide of the target, while Bakke flicked a header past the post.

Although quality may have been in short supply, there were plenty of physical confrontations as audible winces from the crowd echoed around the ground at regular intervals.

But it still remained a case of which side could take advantage of the chances being presented to them.

The answer at that stage was neither as both Jason Wilcox, making his first start of the season, and Thierry Henry shot straight at the opposing keeper from close range.

Arsenal were causing problems as they counter-attacked at pace but Sylvain Wiltord fired one shot wide before scuffing another even more wastefully off target when Paul Robinson had been drawn out of his goal.

Back came the home side in an opening period of alternating fortunes, with Gary Kelly launching a 25-yard drive that flew past the upright and Jonathan Woodgate coming just as close with a header.

And while it took a further 10 minutes after the interval for Leeds to take the lead, it was just about deserved.

Ray Parlour became the fifth Arsenal player booked for a foul on Dacourt, who took the ensuing free-kick himself instead of leaving it to specialist Ian Harte and his powerful effort deflected into the top corner off Lauren's head.

Leeds were buoyed by their first goal in 263 minutes' play and Harte's close-range effort after a scramble in the penalty area appeared to be touched onto the post by Alex Manninger's fingertips.

	Alan Smith flails at the ball under a Patrick Vieira challenge. (CliveBrunskill/Allsport)

Against Real Madrid in midweek, Leeds had tired visibly after the hour mark but with Bakke and Dacourt back in the line-up, they did not buckle this time around.

Part of that was admittedly due to Arsenal's inability to provide the finishing touch though.

One stroke of good fortune - when Silvinho escaped a second booking for a second foul on Lee Bowyer - was all they received as chances came and went with regularity.

Wiltord pulled one shot across the face of goal and then struck the inside of the post after a forceful run and probing pass by Vieira before Robinson produced a fine save to deny Silvinho.

Frustrations were growing as Tony Adams steamed into a late tackle on the ever-willing Smith, while Vieira caught Dacourt in the throat with a trailing leg that he insisted was accidental.

Still Arsenal could not secure the equaliser which their pressure, if not their finishing or all-round play, warranted as Henry shot straight at Robinson, and victory for Leeds was confirmed by the final whistle.

Two seasons ago, a 1-0 win for Leeds against Arsenal effectively ended the Gunners' title chances.

That was admittedly the penultimate game of the season but the effects of this result may ultimately have similar consequences unless a dramatic turnaround lies ahead.