Aubameyang's hatrick helps Arsenal past relentless Leeds United

Aubameyang's hatrick helps Arsenal past relentless Leeds United

 

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang dived to head Arsenal's fourth and completed his hatrick, his first in the premier league on Sunday against Leeds United. (Photo credit: Premierleague.com)

Arsenal captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang scored his first Premier League hat trick to help his side to a 4-2 win against Leeds United at the Emirates on Sunday.

 

Hector Bellerin scored his first goal since over a year bring it to four but Arsenal nerves were on edge as Leeds United claimed back two second-half goals through Pascal Struijk and substitute Helder Costa.

 

"I'm happy with the performance. I knew it'd be a hard game, they never gave up," Aubameyang said after the game.

"The hat trick means a lot to me. I'm a guy who always works hard. It's been a tough time for me.

"Everyone was giving a lot of love to me, my mum and my family. I have to say thank you to everyone at the club and the fans."

Aubameyang's skills were on show for his first goal on 13 minutes as he confused the Leeds United defence with his footwork before getting his shot away into the bottom left corner.

Stuart Attwell awarded Arsenal a penalty on 34 minutes after Buyako Saka was brought down under a clumsy Liam Cooper challenge but VAR referee, Andre Mariner questioned the call and Attwell rescinded the call after checking on the side monitor.

 

There were lots of questions around VAR and Arsenal of recent and this decision will add to the case of the Gunners about an agenda that has robbed the London side in broad daylight; there was contact, strong enough to bundle anyone over yet it was rescinded.

Leeds United didn't learn from their early let off though and barely five minutes later goalkeeper Illan Meslier brought Saka down in the box after the young playmaker caught him on the ball and Attwell awarded a penalty that really didn’t need VAR intervention.

 Aubameyang made no mistake with his strike and scored his 200th European league goal.

Arsenal's third came from poor defending in the Leeds box which allowed the London side to pass the ball around, Saka danced through the defense until Dani Ceballos found Bellerin who hammered a low ball past Meslier.

 

One of the few bright spots in Arsenal's season has been the revelation of Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe and both teamed up for Aubameyang's third goal with Saka charging down the pitch before Smith-Rowe floated a ball into the box which the skipper headed into the net.

Leeds United continued to search for a goal, however, and Struijk found the opening on 58 minutes when he jumped above David Bernd Leno.

 

Their second came on 69 minutes as Costa was left in too much space and fired in a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner.

"We have been missing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's goals and him at his best," Areta said after the game.

"He has been training after difficult period with a family issue and we had a feeling he could be key in this game. He was in pain and got a big kick, twisted his ankle but hopefully, he will be fine [for Thursday].

"I'm very pleased with the result and very, very happy with the performance against a fantastic team that makes life so difficult for you. We handled the situation well."