Martinelli Scores Twice As Arsenal Destroy Hapless Leeds United

Arsenal won 4-1 at Elland Road in the Premier League on Saturday, thanks to a brace from Gabriel Martinelli and goals from Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. The young Guns keep on firing Arsenal for a top 4 challenge. Some Arsenal fans thought Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang might be in contention for a place in Yorkshire, only to find out that he won’t be back until after the African Cup of Nations.

As a result, Alexandre Lacazette once again led the line, as he had in the previous two games, with Mikel Arteta preferring to deploy the same team that had won six points in the previous three games. This was the first time Arsenal have used the same starting eleven in four consecutive Premier League matches since May 2015.

3 – In Gabriel Martinelli (20), Bukayo Saka (20) and Emile Smith Rowe (21), Arsenal have had three different players aged 21 or younger score for them in a single Premier League game for the very first time (excl. own goals). Talents. pic.twitter.com/PhXER40uTT

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 18, 2021

Arsenal had 11 shots on target in the first 45 minutes, making it one of the most amazing half of football under Arteta. Gabriel Martinelli scored both of the game’s early goals, the first of which saw him bend a thunderous shot into the top corner after excellent work by Lacazette. Granit Xhaka subsequently threaded a lovely through pass for him to run onto, and he showed incredible poise to dink the ball over Meslier, before Saka scored a third with a deflected shot.

Meslier’s second half was much calmer, with the outclassed hosts being granted a way back into the game when Benjamin White’s blunder allowed Raphinha the opportunity to convert from the spot. Emile Smith Rowe, who came off the bench for the second game in a row to score, sealed the victory. The second half wasn’t very lovely, but the final score was for the inform Arsenal side.

Leeds lacked the firepower to finish the turnaround without injured striker Patrick Bamford, and Smith Rowe’s cool finish destroyed their feeble aspirations. Leeds had never lost three league games in a row under Marcelo Bielsa’s management.