Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got back to his best to record his first Premier League hat-trick to guide Arsenal to a 4-2 victory over a leaky Leeds at the Emirates despite the visitors’ late rally.
At half-time, Arsenal were 3-0 up for the first time in the Premier League since February 2018 as Leeds crumbled like a pack of cards, and it was Aubameyang, who has now scored more goals in his last four Premier League appearances (5) than he had in his previous 16, benefiting most.
The Gabonese international struck his first from a tight angle but cleverly put it past the goalkeeper and into the near post from 15 yards to put Arsenal ahead before then doubling his and the Gunners’ tally with a penalty after goalkeeper Illan Meslier mistake, dwelling too long on the ball before fouling Bukayo Saka (41).
Hector Bellerin also got on the scoresheet for Arsenal’s third and his first goal of the season on the stroke of half-time, again finishing at the near post following superb Arsenal interplay in the box, and Aubameyang got his hat-trick after the break with a far-post header after Emile Smith Rowe fed him a pinpoint cross-shot.
Leeds as usual never fails to entertain as Marcelo Bielsa’s side caused a scare late on after grabbing two goals to force a late drama but Arsenal saw the game out.
The result means Arsenal leapfrog Leeds into 10th, though Leeds are two points behind with a game in hand.
Watch the highlights of the match below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZzh8izaZe4
Mikel Arteta: “[Aubameyang] has been training really good, he wants to get back, he wants to help the team and I could see this week, I had a feeling to put him as the No 9 today and he has done the job.
“The amount of chances we created and the type of goals we scored today really pleased me. The attacking patterns we had today, the confidence that the team had against a team that is constantly pressing you to be comfortable to get out of this situation. Overall, a lot of positives.”
Stats and facts from the match (Backed by Opta)
- Arsenal scored four (or more) goals at the Emirates for the first time in the Premier League this season, having last done so in a 4-0 win over Norwich in July of last season.
- Leeds United have won just one of their last 24 away league games in London (D6 L17), losing all four such matches this season by an aggregate 14-4 score.
- Leeds United have conceded more penalty goals in the Premier League this season than any other side (seven).
- Leeds have both scored (40) and conceded (42) 40+ goals in just 23 Premier League games this season; only Tottenham in 2007-08 hit 40 goals for and against after fewer matches in a season in the competition’s history (22 games).
Other Premier League results
Saturday 13th February
- Leicester City 3-1 Liverpool
- Crystal Palace 0-3 Burnley
- Manchester City 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur
- Brighton and Hove Albion 0-0 Aston Villa
Sunday 14th February
- Southampton 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
- West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Manchester United
- Arsenal 4-2 Leeds United
- Everton 0-2 Fulham
They won’t still make top four. Arsenal fans are already used to heartbreak ?