Gabriel Jesus back with a bang as confident Arsenal brush aside Leeds – 6 talking points
Arsenal fans were delighted to see Gabriel Jesus back in action after a lengthy injury layoff as the Gunners comfortably disposed of Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s side put in an assured performance to move up to 8th in the Premier League table and here are the key talking points from the game.
1. Gabriel Jesus Back with a Bang – The Brazilian forward made his first appearance since mid-December and marked his return in style, scoring the opening goal with a well-struck effort from outside the area. His presence was a welcome boost for the Arsenal attack and he could prove to be a vital component of the side in the second half of the season.
2. Leeds Struggle to Deal with Arsenal’s Press – Marcelo Bielsa’s side were unable to handle Arsenal’s pressing throughout the game. The Gunners were able to win the ball back in dangerous areas on numerous occasions and were able to create chances as a result.
3. Arsenal Look Confident – The Gunners looked a different team to the one that had been struggling for results in recent weeks. They were composed in possession, looked to play out from the back and were able to carve out chances throughout the game.
4. Tierney a Creative Force – The left-back was a creative force for Arsenal, providing an assist for Gabriel Jesus’ opener and setting up a number of other chances. His delivery from out wide was one of the key weapons in Arsenal’s arsenal and Leeds were unable to cope with his movement and passing.
5. Leeds Lack Ideas – The visitors struggled to create any clear cut chances throughout the game, despite enjoying plenty of possession. They were unable to penetrate Arsenal’s backline and the Gunners were able to comfortably see out the game.
6. Aubameyang Impresses – The Arsenal skipper was back in the starting line-up after being rested midweek and he looked in a confident mood. He was dangerous in the final third throughout the game and could have scored a couple of goals had it not been for some good goalkeeping from Illan Meslier.
Overall, it was a comfortable victory for Arsenal and they will be looking to build on this performance as they continue their push for the European places. Leeds, meanwhile, will be hoping to find more creativity in the final third in order to get back to winning ways.