Hat-trick hero Aubameyang fires Arsenal past Leeds in six goal thriller
Arsenal has beaten Leeds 4-2 in an entertaining encounter at the Emirates with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang scoring his first Arsenal hat-trick along with a well-taken goal from Hector Bellerin enough to see off Leeds.
Martin Odegaard got his first start, Gabriel partnered David Luiz with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang leading the line.
📋 Our team to face Leeds…
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 14, 2021
🇳🇴 Odegaard set for first start
🇬🇦 @Aubameyang7 leads the line
🇧🇷 @DavidLuiz_4 paired with @Biel_M04
#️⃣ #ARSLEE
Arsenal looked up for the contest from the outset with Emile Smith Rowe and Hector Bellerin both having shots inside the opening minutes. Mikel Arteta dominated the opening 10 minutes as Leeds could not get a foot on the ball aside from Patrick Bamford’s header which went straight at Bernd Leno.
Just 13 minutes in Arsenal took the lead. A neat pass from Granit Xhaka found Aubameyang who drove into the Leeds box, produced a couple of step-overs, and fired his shot past Illan Meslier in the Leeds goal.
Leeds grew into the contest after going behind but did not trouble Arsenal’s defense in what was an entertaining first 20 minutes. Aubameyang had a chance to double Arsenal’s lead, however, a great block from Luke Ayling prevented the Gunners skipper from finding the net for the second time.
NO MISTAKE FROM THE SPOT! 🤩
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 14, 2021
🔴 2-0 ⚪️ (41)#ARSLEE pic.twitter.com/aXYNN1ygTl
The Gunners needed a second goal to get full reward for their efforts and with a little over 15 minutes, Arsenal thought they had a penalty. Good link-up play between Odegaard and Bukayo Saka resulted in the young Englishman being brought down in the area, or so they thought. After a review by referee Stuart Attwell, he deemed the contact not to be enough to warrant a penalty.
Just minutes later, however, Arsenal had another penalty and this one stuck. After Meslier played around with the ball, Saka pressured the young keeper who brought him down and Arsenal had their second penalty.
Aubameyang stepped up and rifled home his shot to double the Gunners lead. Just before half time, Arsenal was in again. It was a great team goal as Arsenal passed it around the Leeds box, Dani Ceballos threaded a neat ball to Bellerin and the right-back smashed home Arsenal’s third as they went into halftime with a commanding 3-0 lead.
What a half! 🔥🔥🔥
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 14, 2021
🔴 3-0 ⚪️ (HT)#ARSLEE
If Leeds wanted to get back into the game, then they could not have started the half worse. Just minutes in, Arsenal had their fourth after a great run from Saka who played in Smith Rowe. The youngster then clipped a delightful ball to the back post for Aubameyang who completed his hat-trick with a nice finish.
Just 11 minutes later, Leeds got their goal as they looked to reel in Arsenal. Pascal Struijk powered home his header from a corner with Raphinha providing the cross. Leeds dominated the match and were rewarded with their second goal just over 10 minutes later.
After great build-up play, Tyler Roberts producing a neat cut-back for Helder Costa as Leeds suddenly, had a sniff in the match. Arsenal looked a little wobbly and the visitors put the Gunners under constant pressure as they looked for a third.
Mikel Arteta brought on Mo Elneny for Martin Odegaard as he looked to shore up the midfield and see out the game.
What a 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 Valentine's Day! 🥰#ARSLEE
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 14, 2021
Aubameyang rattled the crossbar as Arsenal looked to get out of sight as the chances kept coming for both sides. With seven minutes remaining, Saka hit the post with his well taken shot after good build-up play with Willian.
Rob Holding was brought on for Dani Ceballos as the Gunners saw out the remaining minutes to move above Leeds in the table and secure a vital win.
