Arsenal 4-2 Leeds: Aubameyang’s Hat-Trick Did It All

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s first start since January 18th heralded a hat-trick as Mikel Arteta’s men returned to winning ways with a 2 win over Leeds.

Credit to Leeds, even at 4-0 down Marcelo Bielsa’s side kept punching.

The return of Aubameyang to the starting XI provided Arteta’s men with a greater threat in attack, and the technical ability of Martin Odegaard in the No10 role – making his first start since arriving from Real Madrid – instantly gave the Gunners the sort of invention they’ve been lacking.

Indeed, it was Aubameyang who fired Arsenal into a deserved 14th minute lead.

They thought they were awarded a 34th minute penalty when Liam Cooper carelessly bundled the electric Bukayo Saka over in the box only for Atwell to overturn his own decision after Andre Marriner, in Stockley Park, suggested he reviewed the footage.

Arsenal, however, didn’t have wait long for a bona-fide spot kick. Again it was Saka who was being a nuisance.

There was no reprieve for Leeds this time as Atwell, for the second time, pointed to the spot. Aubameyang made no mistake, sending the hapless Meslier the wrong way.

Arsenal added a third before half time and again there were serious reservations about Meslier’s goalkeeping. It only got worse for the visitor’s.

Two minutes it took for Aubameyang to complete his hat-trick, as he nodded home Emile Smith Rowe’s cross at the back post.

Leeds pulled a goal back through Pascal Struijk’s bullet header in the 58th minute before Costa fired home fellow substitute Roberts’ cross in the 69th minute to make things interesting.