Arsenal won 4-1 over Leeds United in the 18th week of the Premier League at Elland Road Stadium, Saturday (18/12).
Arsenal actually had less possession of the ball than Leeds United. Leeds United recorded 51 percent possession of the ball, while Arsenal only 49 percent. However, Gabriel Martinelli et al have more opportunities with a total of 12 shots on target from 21 opportunities. Meanwhile, Leeds United only had 2 shots on target from 9 attempts.
Gabriel Martinelli opened Arsenal’s lead in the 16th minute after taking advantage of a mistake from Leeds defender Adam Forshaw. It was the 7000th goal scored by Arsenal in the club’s history.
Forshaw’s mistake was used by Alexandre Lacazette to steal the ball. However, the wild ball in the penalty box was immediately struck by Martinelli with a right-footed shot that goalkeeper Illan Meslier could not anticipate.
In the 24th minute Arsenal again gave a threat, this time through left back Kieran Tierney. but Tierney’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Ilan Meslier.
Leeds had almost scored the equalizer had Raphinha’s 25th-minute strike not gone too wide.
Raphinha is already in an open position to score goals, it’s just that the accuracy of his left kick is not right.
Instead of scoring a goal back, Leeds conceded again after their counter-attack ran aground. Alexandre Lacazette took advantage of a Leeds pass error, which immediately provided a through ball for Gabriel Martinelli.
Although in the guard of opposing players, Martinelli was calm enough to make the final settlement by gouging the ball past goalkeeper Meslier in the 28th minute.
Bukayo Saka put the Gunners ahead 3-0 in the 42nd minute after his left-foot shot hit the Leeds defender.
In the 74th minute Leeds had a chance to score a comeback after defender Ben White fouled Joe Gelhaedt in the penalty box. Referee Andre Marriner immediately awarded a penalty to Leeds.
Raphinha who became the executor did not waste a goal from the penalty. Raphinha scored after his shot went into the top left corner, while goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale moved to the right.
Emile Smith-Rowe brought Arsenal away from the pursuit of Leeds in the 84th minute. After receiving a through ball from Martin Oedegaard, Rowe immediately fired a right foot shot without being dammed by goalkeeper Meslier.
Without additional goals in the remaining matches, Arsenal won 4-1 over Leeds.
The win also marked the first time Arsenal have scored from players aged 21 or younger in a Premier League match. Martinelli and Saka are still 20 years old, while Smith-Rowe is 21 years old.
The record of three consecutive wins has made Arsenal solidify their position in fourth place in the standings with 32 points.
Meanwhile, Leeds, who lost their third in a series of four winless matches, did not move from 16th place with 16 points, according to the official Premier League website.
