Two goals from Gabriel Martinelli helped Arsenal sweep past an injury-hit Leeds at Elland Road to secure their third successive Premier League victory.
Martinelli’s double and BukayoSaka’s deflected effort made it 3-0 before half-time as the Gunners ruthlessly capitalised on an error-strewn Leeds performance.
Raphinha pulled one back from the penalty spot in the second half, before Arsenal substitute Emile Smith Rowe wrapped up an emphatic victory for Mikel Arteta’s side late on.
“I think we did our job and we played so well. It was a great performance,” Martinelli told BBC Sport. “I was trying to score more but the most important thing is the victory.”
The scoreline could have been greater but for an impressive performance by Leeds goalkeeper IllanMeslier, who made fine stops to deny Saka, AlexandreLacazette, Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney.
They were helped by some sloppy Leeds defending, but the Gunners front four of Saka, Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Lacazette ruthlessly capitalised on any mistakes.
They managed 11 shots on target in the first half, the most by any side in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League match since Opta started registering such statistics in 2003-04.
All this was achieved without striker Pierre-EmerickAubameyang, who was left out of the squad following a disciplinary breach.
Martinelli is one of the players to benefit from Aubameyang’s absence, starting five successive Premier League games for the first time in his Gunners career. –BBC
