Arsenal Demolish Leeds

Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli’s double helped Arsenal demolish Leeds 4-1 in the Premier League on Saturday at Elland Road.

It was the only Premier League game to go ahead on Saturday after Aston Villa’s match against Burnley was postponed due to several positive Covid-19 tests, and it was an entertaining encounter.

Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa said before the game he had seven defenders missing, and their absences showed as Arsenal overran their hosts in the first half. Having conceded seven goals at Manchester City in midweek, Leeds were repeatedly ripped apart in the opening period, with Martinelli’s brace putting Arsenal 2-0 up inside 28 minutes.

 Bukayo Saka added a third for Arsenal three minutes before the break and frustrations were beginning to rise all around Elland Road. Leeds did threaten a late comeback when Rafinha converted a penalty 15 minutes from time, but substitute Emile Smith Rowe’s late goal put the game beyond the hosts as the youngster scored in consecutive games.

“I am very happy with the performance, the week that we had, and the way we are moving forward,” Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said.

“It is always difficult to play against Leeds. They didn’t give up on the second half. I am pleased, it is not easy to play the way we did in this atmosphere. We made a real statement.”

Arsenal’s third league success in a row confirms their fourth spot in the standings for now as Manchester United are yet to play their two matches, while Leeds’ second successive hammering left them down in 16th, five clear of the drop zone, but having played three more games than Burnley in 18th.