Auba scores hat-trick as merciless Arsenal put four past Leeds at Emirates
Auba #Auba
– Arsenal vs Leeds United ended in a 4-2 win for the hosts, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring three goals to inspire his side to victory
– Goals from Pascal Struijk and Helder Costa nearly inspired a stunning comeback for the visitors but the Gunners held on to claim all the three points
– The Gunners’ win saw them climb to 10th with 34 points, just six behind fourth-placed Liverpool who have 40
Leeds United’s first ever trip to the Emirates on Sunday evening, February 14, saw them suffer a huge 4-2 defeat in the hands of a ruthless Arsenal side.
Auba scored a hat-trick to inspire Arsenal to victory over Leeds at Emirates. Photo by Stuart MacFarlane.
Source: Getty Images
The last time Leeds faced the Gunners away in a top-flight match Arsenal were still playing at Highbury, with the Marcos Bielsa side dropping to Championship in 2004 – two years before Emirates opened its gates.
However, the trip was one to forget for the Yorkshire outfit, with Arsenal, who were desperate to return to winning ways after three winless matches carting home maximum points.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has not been incisive appeared to have finally found his scoring boots during the meeting, with the Gabonese netting a hat-trick to inspire his side to victory.
Auba broke the encounter’s deadlock in the 13th minute, cutting from the left before beating Meslier with a trademark finish.
The hosts had a chance to double the advantage in the 34th minute after they appeared to have won a penalty following a foul on Bukayo Saka, but the referee rescinded the decision after consulting VAR.
However, that did not deter Arsenal from pushing for a second, and their efforts paid off four minutes to the break after they were awarded a spotkick which Aubameyang stepped up to take to make it 2-0.
Hector Bellerin made it 3-0 shortly after the break, before Aubameyang completed his hat-trick on the night and his first ever in the EPL in the 47th minute after he was set up by Emile Smith Rowe.
Mike Arteta’s men survived a late scare after the visitors nearly sprung a comeback with two quick fire goals scored by Pascal Struijk and Helder Costa.
Despite pressure, the north Londoners were able to hold on to claim a 4-2 win to climb to 10th on the log with 34 points, six off the top off.
Fred Kennedy is a Bachelor’s Degree holder in journalism currently attached with TUKO.co.ke as an editor. He has a five-year experience in digital journalism with a solid experience in researching and writing compelling news. Follow him on Twitter @fredkennedy_ to learn more about him.