The Whites dominated the first half and stifled the Gunners with their intensity and counter-attacks down the flanks.
Nicolas Pepe saw red but 10-man Arsenal held on for an unlikely point against a wasteful Leeds side at Elland Road.
Jack Harrison and Ezgjan Alioski overwhelmed the Arsenal full-backs, while Patrick Bamford’s near post runs caused constant confusion in the box. Yet the hosts were unable to find the breakthrough their smart play deserved.
While Bamford forced two smart saves from Bernd Leno with close-range shots, Mateusz Klich and Raphinha each saw efforts fly narrowly wide.
Arsenal offered little but for a Pepe shot that bounced off the bar, and were lucky to go in goalless at half-time.
Things got more difficult for the visitors when after headbutting Ezgjan Alioski off the ball Pepe was sent off seven minutes after half-time.
Leeds were now up against a blue wall of Gunners shirts and could not find the killer pass to unlock a stubborn Arsenal defence.
While Luke Ayling’s first touch let him down five yards from goal, substitute Rodrigo twice went close from a distance.
As Bukayo Saka forced a great save from Illan Meslier both sides had chances in the dying moments, while Patrick Bamford and Raphinha hit the post for the hosts as Arsenal’s goal continued to lead a charmed life.
Leeds 0-0 Arsenal
Leeds: Meslier, Alioski, Cooper, Koch, Ayling(71′ Rodrigo), Phillips, Harrison(80′ Poveda), Dallas, Klich, Raphinha, Bamford
Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Ceballos, Xhaxa, Willian (46′ Nelson), Willock(57′ Saka(Maitland-Niles 93′)), Pepe, Aubameyang
Yellow cards: Dallas 15′, Cooper 86′, Phillips 93′
Red cards: Pepe 52′
Stadium: Elland road, Leeds
Referee: A. Taylor
