Leeds United were handed another lopsided loss Saturday afternoon as the hosts fell short, 4-1, against Arsenal thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. Martinelli scored a brace within the first 30 minutes of the match to put things out of reach early.
“It was a very good result,” Martinelli said. “It was away. We are so happy with the result and our good work. We have a young team but a very strong team with very good players. It’s all about the team.”
Arsenal were impressive in the attack on Saturday and the full three points established a hold on the fourth-place spot in the Premier League table.
“He’s still a huge potential and he’s very humble and I think good things are going to happen to him,” Arteta said of Martinelli.
Arsenal’s goal-scorers on Saturday were Martinelli — just 20 years old — Bukayo Saka — also 20 years of age — and 20-year-old Emile Smith Rowe. The Gunners’ future looks bright.
Arsenal have had three different players aged 21 or younger score for them in a single Premier League game for the very first time (excluding own goals).
“This is what Mikel asks of us, every time we go to the final third we need to be dangerous,” Martinelli added.
Out of Arsenal’s 27 league goals this season, 23 have been assisted or scored by Emile Smith-Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard.
“Two different halves,” Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa said. “The second half we could have won it but the first half we could have lost it with more goals. The loss of the ball in our half of the field and in the middle of the field increases the attacking power of the opponent. To increase the amount of danger we can create, we need to get the ball back when they are playing.”
Leeds entered this match coming off a 7-0 thrashing against Manchester City. That’s now 11 goals conceded in their last 180 minutes of Premier League play.
“They [Arsenal] were able to take the ball away from us when we were trying to build and attack and we couldn’t – that’s what makes the difference,” Bielsa added. “We’re all used to playing together. We are preparing with all the players. They kept us out of their half with a combined game. By their recoveries and the accumulation of their game, they created a danger.”
Arsenal finished the match actually losing the possessions battle 51-49, but had 21 shots overall — 12 on target — compared to just nine for the hosts — with 2 being on target.
Arsenal are now five points clear of fifth-place Manchester United in the Premier League table.
Leeds United, now in 16th place in the Premier League, have a tough matchup on 26 December against Liverpool. Arsenal will be back on the pitch in a few days against Sunderland in EFL Cup quarter-final action (21 December) before a PL match against Norwich City on 26 December.
