Mikel Arteta's side had seen their advantage trimmed to five points by second placed Manchester City's 4-1 win against Liverpool earlier in the day.
"We were exceptional," Arteta said after the Gunners cruised to a seventh successive league victory.
Jesus was the headline act for Arsenal as he replaced the ill Bukayo Saka in the starting line-up and ensured the in-form England forward wasn't missed in the slightest.
The Brazilian put Arsenal ahead with a penalty late in the first half, ending a 14-game drought with his sixth goal since joining from title rivals City last year.
Ben White, a former Leeds loanee, doubled Arsenal's advantage early in the second half.
Making just his second start since surgery on the knee injury he suffered at last year's World Cup, Jesus struck again with a predatory effort, underlining the importance of his return to fitness as the title race approaches its climax.
"Delighted for Gabriel. We were all clapping him after the game. He has been working so hard to come back for the last few months," Arteta said.
"He deserved his chance to start and grabbed it with a lot of conviction, scoring two important goals."
Rasmus Kristensen got one back for Leeds, but Granit Xhaka's late header capped yet another ruthless Arsenal performance.
"We were aware (of Man City's result) as it was a huge game and we wanted to watch parts of it. But when we got here it was just to focus on us and what we can do as a team," Arteta said.
"We can only control what we can do. The team somehow has to find a way to keep winning and keep performing. We were exceptional."
After surrendering top spot with a 3-1 defeat against City in February, Arsenal have responded impressively, showing a maturity and composure far beyond the Gunners' teams that routinely underachieved in recent years.
Arsenal, who last won the title in 2004, have played a game more than City and still have to travel to Manchester to face Pep Guardiola's champions on April 26.
'Enjoy the moment'
With trips to Liverpool and West Ham - both desperate for points at opposite ends of the table - in their next two games, the north Londoners can't rest on their laurels.
But, as they approach their final nine matches, the destiny of the title is firmly in Arsenal's hands.
"Just enjoy the moment we are in," Arteta said.
"If we go through the journey day by day, when the games come we are in the right frame of mind. Then you have oxygen to grab instead of being tight."
