Arsenal swept aside Leeds United with a 4-1 victory at Elland Road on Saturday. It was a dull weekend for Premier League fans as most of the games were cancelled due to the Covid situation, but this game did provide some exciting moments. A brace by Martinelli and one goal apiece from Saka and Smith Rowe ensured all 3 points for the Gunners. Raphinha converted a penalty to grab a consolation goal for the home side.
Arteta fielded the same starting lineup for the 3rd straight game and the results have been in Arsenal’s favour so far. The visitors seemed in full confidence and were attacking right from the start. Captain Lacazette and Martinelli were eager to get an early goal and all the hustle play was finally rewarded when Martinelli blasted the loose ball into the top-right corner in the 16th min. Martinelli scored his second goal off an incisive pass from Xhaka, while Saka’s deflected shot put the Gunners in a 3-0 lead in the 1st half itself.
The Gunners went on the front foot after the opening goal and completely dominated Marcelo Bielsa’s team in the first half. Leeds United are currently in a dire situation as they were shorthanded due to a long list of injured starters and Arsenal took full advantage of the situation.
However, the energy went down in the second half, with the Gunners dropping their tempo. Players seemed a bit relaxed and the ball pressing was also less intense than in the first half. Raphinha was able to lessen the scoreline with a spot-kick, but Smith Rowe secured all 3 points for the visitors by scoring with a half-volley past Meslier.
With this win at Elland Road, the Gunners have extended their lead to 4 points over 5th place West Ham United. They also set a record of 11 shots on target in the opening 45 minutes, the most by any side in the 1st half in the Premier League since 2003-04. Therefore, let’s see how the Arsenal players fared against Leeds United on Saturday.
11 – Arsenal's 11 shots on target in the first half against Leeds is the most on record (since 2003-04) in the opening 45 minutes by any side in a single Premier League first half. Peppered. #LEEARS pic.twitter.com/zO8RjbcmAy
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 18, 2021
Goalkeeper:
Aaron Ramsdale (6.5): The Arsenal shot-stopper had very little work to do this weekend. The opponents took 9 shots, but only 2 were on target. Guessed the penalty-kick wrong, but an overall standard performance by Ramsdale. He tried to provide an assist with his long balls.
Defence:
Takehiro Tomiyasu (7.5): Takehiro played his part beautifully, covering ground from coast-to-coast. He was solid in his defensive duties as well as provided an attacking edge against the hosts.
Tomiyasu appreciation tweet 👏 #LEEARS pic.twitter.com/5Kv7QU0yaH
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 20, 2021
Ben White (7): White looked defensively solid until he conceded the penalty. He seemed pretty relaxed in defence against the toothless Leeds attack and also made some good runs into attacking positions. The foul that gave away the penalty could be considered unnecessary as the keeper already had the shot angle covered, but besides that incident, his performance was flawless.
Gabriel Magalhaes (7.5): Given by Gabriel’s standards, the game seemed too easy. He was rock solid in defence and negated all possible goal threats well.
Kieran Tierney (8): Tierney started his 4th consecutive game after returning from injury and looks set to keep Tavares out of the team for a longer period. His linkup plays were beautiful, especially with Martinelli. The left flank combination is becoming very reliable and deadly for Arsenal.
Midfield:
Gabriel Martinelli (9.5): A brutal attacking display by Martinelli. He was charged up for the full 94 minutes. The Brazilian scored his first-ever brace for Arsenal and looked set for a certain hat-trick. If Martinelli continues to play in this manner on a regular basis, he will become the first-choice attacker in the starting lineup.
🏴 Bukayo Saka – 20
🇧🇷 Gabriel Martinelli – 20
🏴 Emile Smith Rowe – 21The future is now 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MOwf96lmPD
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 18, 2021
Thomas Partey (6): He is certainly improving, but still not a convincing one. With Xhaka partnering him in midfield, he mostly sat deep and was occasionally popping up for surprise long shots. If he is to perform against bigger clubs, he needs to have better control over the ball.
Xhaka (7): Xhaka was bossing the game in midfield and looked well in control. He made some rough challenges against the Leeds United players and was lucky not to be booked. Apart from that, his passing and linkup plays were a treat to watch. His long balls and interceptions were also good.
Bukayo Saka (8): Saka has played in all possible games for Arsenal this season and has booked a permanent place in the starting eleven. He had some troubles in the opening 20 mins, but once he got settled, it became a torrid time for the opposition.
Attack:
Martin Odegaard (8.5): Martin Odegaard pulled the strings for Arsenal in most of the attacking plays against Leeds United. The Norwegian’s plays had a glimpse of Fabregas and Ozil, of course, he has a lot to learn to reach that level, but quality and potential are there. His incisive pass to ESR was a certain goal for the sub. Arteta might have found the much-needed play-maker for the long term now.
Alexandre Lacazette (8): Lacazette is now playing like a false 9 striker instead of playing as the main forward. The Frenchman should have been on the scoresheet with so many chances but failed. Passing the ball to a better-positioned player is a good option, but as a primary striker, he has to score some goals.
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Substitutes:
Emile Smith Rowe (7): Came on for Saka in the 78th minute and once again on the scoresheet for the Gunners. The attacking midfielder is the most consistent performer for the team, with 6 goals in 8 appearances, and still cannot get into the starting lineup.
Cedric Soares (5): Substituted in for Tomiyasu in the 63rd min. He was a passive player for Arsenal as there were very few passes from teammates. He didn’t do anything wrong in the game but was nowhere close to Tomiyasu’s standards.
Nuno Tavares (NA): Replaced Odegaard in the 85th minute of the game. Came on too late to make any key contributions.
Do you agree with the given player ratings from the Leeds United vs Arsenal game? Let us know your opinions in the comments section below.
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