The Arsenal undroppable Mikel Arteta will need to thank if Premier League title dream realised

Arsenal waltzed into the white hot atmosphere of Elland Road, took over and completely dominated on their way to three points, with the remarkable Declan Rice standing out

At Elland Road, Arsenal lost a captain before kick-off. But in circumstances that could have been tricky, Arsenal's most outstanding leader stepped up and dominated.

Mikel Arteta may have handed the armband to Gabriel after seeing Bukayo Saka suffer a hip problem in the warm up. But the Gunners boss might as well have given it to Declan Rice. Because if leadership is measured on actions and deeds, than it is Rice who is Arsenal's most dominant character.

It remains to be seen if Arsenal go on to become English champions this season. If they do, no-one will be more deserving of his medal than Rice.

Martin Odegaard wasn't in the starting lineup here, a move which piled more responsibility onto the shoulders of the England star. But Rice thrives on extra responsibility.

He was on corners and long throw-ins. Throughout he marshalled his team-mates around the pitch, won tackles and passed with precision, leading attacks with his distribution while all the while protecting those behind him. Most impressively, he brought calm to the chaos around him.

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After no win in three games, the pressure had been cranked up on Arteta and his players. And a Leeds side unbeaten on home soil since November and with only one loss in 11 games was not an easy prospect, especially at Elland Road.

The famous old ground is not for the faint hearted - and Arsenal hadn't won there since 2003 before kick-off.

But Rice rose to the challenge, just like he is rising up the rankings of world football's best midfielders.

It was clear before kick-off, as he pumped his fists to his team-mates that he knew the significance of this game and the result. Chants of "You'll f*** it up" were ringing in the ears of he and his team-mates.

Rice was unfazed. Just as Arteta knew he would be. "Mentally, he is a player that can cope with absolutely everything," the Spaniard said on Friday. Rice showed why his boss is so in awe of his No.41.

When Arsenal went 2-0 up before half time, the game felt like it had been won. But as the Arsenal players celebrated, Rice urged them to get back to face the re-start. He knew there was still a lot of work to do. Rice was setting the standards for others to follow.

The 4-0 thrashing saw him become the fifth youngest player in Premier League history to reach 300 appearances. He's done it quicker than both Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, two players with whom Rice wants to be spoken about in the same breath.

At 27 Rice is approaching his peak. For club and country, he is the captain in waiting. Rice should be handed the Three Lions armband once Harry Kane steps aside - forget Jude Bellingham.

If there is one criticism to be aimed at Rice, it's that he doesn't score enough goals.

He has just four of them this season. And that's despite Arteta deploying Rice in a more advanced role most of the time. There can be no excuses it's something Rice has to work on and improve to get where he wants to go.

And if Rice can somehow increase his output in that department, Arsenal might just have the most complete footballer in world football within their ranks