• ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno - 7: German returned to the starting line-up after missing Villa defeat and had very little to do in first half. Finally called into serious action by rasping Raphinha drive just after Arsenal had gone 4-0 up. No chance with either goal. AFP
    ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno - 7: German returned to the starting line-up after missing Villa defeat and had very little to do in first half. Finally called into serious action by rasping Raphinha drive just after Arsenal had gone 4-0 up. No chance with either goal. AFP
  • Hector Bellerin - 7: Spanish full-back capped a perfect first half for Arsenal when he smashed the ball past Meslier at the keeper’s near post to make it 3-0. Caught out by run of Roberts ahead of Leeds’ second. AP
    Hector Bellerin - 7: Spanish full-back capped a perfect first half for Arsenal when he smashed the ball past Meslier at the keeper’s near post to make it 3-0. Caught out by run of Roberts ahead of Leeds’ second. AP
  • Gabriel - 7: Not remotely troubled in first half as the Leeds attacking machine failed to get out of first gear. Made to work a bit after break as the Yorkshiremen finally showed some attacking threat. Getty
    Gabriel - 7: Not remotely troubled in first half as the Leeds attacking machine failed to get out of first gear. Made to work a bit after break as the Yorkshiremen finally showed some attacking threat. Getty
  • David Luiz - 7: Like Leno, missed Villa game due to suspension, and it was his surging run up the field and ball into box that almost led to Aubameyang making it 2-0 in first half. Helped make sure Bamford didn't add to his goals tally. AP
    David Luiz - 7: Like Leno, missed Villa game due to suspension, and it was his surging run up the field and ball into box that almost led to Aubameyang making it 2-0 in first half. Helped make sure Bamford didn't add to his goals tally. AP
  • Cedric Soares - 6: Arsenal miss Kieran Tierney’s marauding runs down the left despite the Portuguese providing decent cover. Bamford felt he should have had second-half penalty when Soares and Gabriel combined to bring him down. Referee disagreed. Decent late strike saved by Meslier. Getty
    Cedric Soares - 6: Arsenal miss Kieran Tierney’s marauding runs down the left despite the Portuguese providing decent cover. Bamford felt he should have had second-half penalty when Soares and Gabriel combined to bring him down. Referee disagreed. Decent late strike saved by Meslier. Getty
  • Dani Ceballos - 7: Lovely little ball through to Bellerin’s feet for third goal. Neat and tidy performance from the Spaniard. AP
    Dani Ceballos - 7: Lovely little ball through to Bellerin’s feet for third goal. Neat and tidy performance from the Spaniard. AP
  • Granit Xhaka - 8: Played one-two with Aubameyang for striker's opening goal and ran the show from the centre of midfield without ever really breaking sweat until later in second half. AFP
    Granit Xhaka - 8: Played one-two with Aubameyang for striker's opening goal and ran the show from the centre of midfield without ever really breaking sweat until later in second half. AFP
  • Emile Smith Rowe - 7: The 20-year-old offers something different to Arsenal’s midfield. Was a constant menace to Leeds all match. Dispossessed Costa before setting up Aubameyang’s hthird goal on a plate. Reuters
    Emile Smith Rowe - 7: The 20-year-old offers something different to Arsenal’s midfield. Was a constant menace to Leeds all match. Dispossessed Costa before setting up Aubameyang’s hthird goal on a plate. Reuters
  • Martin Odegaard - 6: The 22-year-old Real Madrid loanee made his first start for Gunners and produced a few moments of quality but was outshone by some of his teammates. AP
    Martin Odegaard - 6: The 22-year-old Real Madrid loanee made his first start for Gunners and produced a few moments of quality but was outshone by some of his teammates. AP
  • Bukayo Saka - 9: Ran riot in first half as Leeds soon realised that fouling the England international was the only way to stop him. Won one penalty, denied another by VAR and heavily involved in third goal. Only denied Man of the Match by Aubameyang's ruthless finishing. Getty
    Bukayo Saka - 9: Ran riot in first half as Leeds soon realised that fouling the England international was the only way to stop him. Won one penalty, denied another by VAR and heavily involved in third goal. Only denied Man of the Match by Aubameyang's ruthless finishing. Getty
  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 9: A welcome return to Gunners' starting line-up and opened the scoring after 13 minutes with low shot into corner at keeper’s near post. Perfect penalty to make it 2-0. Simple header to secure first Premier League hat-trick just after break. Superb attacking performance. EPA
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 9: A welcome return to Gunners' starting line-up and opened the scoring after 13 minutes with low shot into corner at keeper’s near post. Perfect penalty to make it 2-0. Simple header to secure first Premier League hat-trick just after break. Superb attacking performance. EPA
  • SUBS: Willian – (On for Smith Rowe 62’) 5: Sums up his first season at club that he came on just as Leeds decided to join the party and make life difficult for Arsenal. Reuters
    SUBS: Willian – (On for Smith Rowe 62’) 5: Sums up his first season at club that he came on just as Leeds decided to join the party and make life difficult for Arsenal. Reuters
  • Mohamed Elneny – (On for Odegaard 78’) N/A. Getty
    Mohamed Elneny – (On for Odegaard 78’) N/A. Getty
  • Rob Holding – (On for Ceballos 89’) N/A. AP
    Rob Holding – (On for Ceballos 89’) N/A. AP
  • LEEDS RATINGS: Illan Meslier - 3: Will be disappointed that Aubameyang’s opener and the third by Bellerín found its way into the net at his near post. And should have just booted the ball into orbit before clumsily giving away penalty for second. Generally looks like a mishap waiting to happen. EPA
    LEEDS RATINGS: Illan Meslier - 3: Will be disappointed that Aubameyang’s opener and the third by Bellerín found its way into the net at his near post. And should have just booted the ball into orbit before clumsily giving away penalty for second. Generally looks like a mishap waiting to happen. EPA
  • Jamie Shackleton - 6: Playing at right-back in defensive reshuffle by Marcelo Bielsa and produced lovely little run and ball down line to Raphinha in first half. Nearly made it 4-3 in injury time but miss-controlled a ball into the penalty area. Slightly better show than some of his teammates at the back. Getty
    Jamie Shackleton - 6: Playing at right-back in defensive reshuffle by Marcelo Bielsa and produced lovely little run and ball down line to Raphinha in first half. Nearly made it 4-3 in injury time but miss-controlled a ball into the penalty area. Slightly better show than some of his teammates at the back. Getty
  • Luke Ayling - 6: Moved over from full-back to centre-half and was turned inside out by Aubameyang for opening goal. Atoned for that when he threw himself into a magnificent tackle to block another goal-bound effort from the Gunners’ captain. Not up to the high standards he has set this season. AFP
    Luke Ayling - 6: Moved over from full-back to centre-half and was turned inside out by Aubameyang for opening goal. Atoned for that when he threw himself into a magnificent tackle to block another goal-bound effort from the Gunners’ captain. Not up to the high standards he has set this season. AFP
  • Liam Cooper - 5: Captain, playing his 200th league game for Leeds but unable to get block in to stop Aubameyang’s early goal and feared the worst when a penalty was given for his challenge on Saka – only for VAR to intervene. Couldn't get to grips with the Arsenal striker, although few could in this form. Reuters
    Liam Cooper - 5: Captain, playing his 200th league game for Leeds but unable to get block in to stop Aubameyang’s early goal and feared the worst when a penalty was given for his challenge on Saka – only for VAR to intervene. Couldn't get to grips with the Arsenal striker, although few could in this form. Reuters
  • Ezgjan Alioski - 4: Like rest of Leeds defence, had no answer to surging runs of Saka and was taken off before hour mark. EPA
    Ezgjan Alioski - 4: Like rest of Leeds defence, had no answer to surging runs of Saka and was taken off before hour mark. EPA
  • Pascal Struijk- 5: Took over the Kalvin Phillips role in midfield. Leeds missed their talismanic anchor man and the Belgium-born player toiled as Arsenal dominated. Great climb and towering header to make it 4-1, though. Booked in second half. Reuters
    Pascal Struijk- 5: Took over the Kalvin Phillips role in midfield. Leeds missed their talismanic anchor man and the Belgium-born player toiled as Arsenal dominated. Great climb and towering header to make it 4-1, though. Booked in second half. Reuters
  • Mateusz Klich - 4: Curled shot from outside the box over bar after 20 minutes but Pole struggled to stem the tide of Arsenal attacks. Hooked at half time. Getty
    Mateusz Klich - 4: Curled shot from outside the box over bar after 20 minutes but Pole struggled to stem the tide of Arsenal attacks. Hooked at half time. Getty
  • Raphinha - 6: Quiet first 25 minutes from the in-form Brazilian, then sprang into life with superb ball from right to Bamford in the penalty area. Forced good save out of Leno after break – but Arsenal had scored four by then.
    Raphinha - 6: Quiet first 25 minutes from the in-form Brazilian, then sprang into life with superb ball from right to Bamford in the penalty area. Forced good save out of Leno after break – but Arsenal had scored four by then.
  • Stuart Dallas - 5: Worked hard without stamping his authority on the game. Was one of about eight players worthy of being substituted at break. Played part in Leeds fightback, but it was too little, too late. Booked as game drew to close. Getty
    Stuart Dallas - 5: Worked hard without stamping his authority on the game. Was one of about eight players worthy of being substituted at break. Played part in Leeds fightback, but it was too little, too late. Booked as game drew to close. Getty
  • Jack Harrison - 6: Lovely cross from left to find Bamford 11 minutes in and had Leeds' first shot on target that Leno saved comfortably midway through first half. Sacrificed at half-time as Arsenal had begun to run riot. PA
    Jack Harrison - 6: Lovely cross from left to find Bamford 11 minutes in and had Leeds' first shot on target that Leno saved comfortably midway through first half. Sacrificed at half-time as Arsenal had begun to run riot. PA
  • Patrick Bamford - 5: Reached 100 career goals in last match and had team’s first chance from Harrison cross but tame header was straight at Leno. Little change out of Arsenal’s defence and felt he should have had second-half penalty, although would have been very harsh call. Reuters
    Patrick Bamford - 5: Reached 100 career goals in last match and had team’s first chance from Harrison cross but tame header was straight at Leno. Little change out of Arsenal’s defence and felt he should have had second-half penalty, although would have been very harsh call. Reuters
  • SUBS: Tyler Roberts – (On for Klich 46’) 6: Perfectly timed run and cross into middle to set-up goal for fellow substitute Costa. Reuters
    SUBS: Tyler Roberts – (On for Klich 46’) 6: Perfectly timed run and cross into middle to set-up goal for fellow substitute Costa. Reuters
  • Helder Costa – (On for Jack Harrison 46’) 6: Gifted Arsenal possession ahead of fourth goal but added much-needed spark to Leeds’ attack and grabbed their second goal. EPA
    Helder Costa – (On for Jack Harrison 46’) 6: Gifted Arsenal possession ahead of fourth goal but added much-needed spark to Leeds’ attack and grabbed their second goal. EPA
  • Niall Huggins – (On for Alioski 55’) 6: The 20 year-old forward entered the fray when the game appeared over but at least helped cause Arsenal a little bit of stress late on. EPA
    Niall Huggins – (On for Alioski 55’) 6: The 20 year-old forward entered the fray when the game appeared over but at least helped cause Arsenal a little bit of stress late on. EPA

Football

Bukayo Saka 9: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 9: Illan Meslier 3, Raphinha 6: Arsenal v Leeds player ratings

Brilliant hat-trick by Gunners captain as defensive frailties of Bielsa's side are brutally exposed again

Gareth Cox

February 15, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the striker returned to the Arsenal side to hit his first Premier League hat-trick and down Leeds United.

The Gunners captain had not started in five games after leaving the club's coronavirus-secure bubble to tend to his ill mother.

But he marked his comeback in fine fashion as Leeds were beaten 4-2 at the Emirates Stadium, having started the afternoon above their hosts in the table.

Hector Bellerin scored Arsenal's other goal while Pascal Struijk and substitute Helder Costa scored to give the scoreline a flattering look for the visitors.

"I thought he was superb today, he has been training really good the last week or so, he looked back to normal," Arteta said of Aubameyang.

"He looked really committed in training, really hungry and today he had a great performance, not only for the goals but the way he worked without the ball and the way he worked every Leeds defender, he set the tone.

"We know that a big part of our future success is related to Auba being at his best and scoring as many goals as possible.

"If he is in that type of form we are going to be closer to winning football matches, that is for sure – we cannot just rely on him but he is a big piece of our puzzle and you saw today that when he is firing he is a difficult player to play against."

Leeds slipped below Arsenal into 11th spot but their 23 games this season have resulted in 82 goals and for the neutral they remain arguably the best side to watch in the top flight.

Manager Marcelo Bielsa said they paid for a poor opening period. "In the first half we should have prevented them scoring three goals if we were more organised in possession," he said.

"In the second half we had chances to score the third which means the ending of the game could have been different."

The biog

Hobbies: Writing and running
Favourite sport: beach volleyball
Favourite holiday destinations: Turkey and Puerto Rico​

THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

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