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Arsenal 4-2 Leeds: 3 things learned as Aubameyang hat-trick lands Gunners win

By Megan Garbutt

Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shoots from the penalty spot to score his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 14, 2021. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shoots from the penalty spot to score his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 14, 2021. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

A six-goal thriller at the Emirates is something that fans wouldn’t want to miss and this was certainly a game full of surprises.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was on target three times for the Gunners and right-back Hector Bellerin also got himself on the score sheet as Leeds managed to deny the Gunners a clean-sheet as Pascal Struijk and Helder Costa pulled two back in the second half.

The Gunners had two penalty appeals in the first half, the first being ruled out by VAR and Aubameyang converting the second from the spot five minutes later.

Leeds were unable to break down the home team in the first half and were punished when they conceded three, with Illan Meslier being very busy for the visitors.

After Aubameyang completed his hat-trick early on in the second half, Leeds opened up and were able to pull Arsenal apart more and get hold of the ball more easily.

The two goals from the visiting side were still not enough though as Arsenal still had their fair share of chances in the second half, the closest one coming when Bukayo Saka hitting the post, where he was unfortunately offside.

It was a game full of talking points and here are the ones I am going to focus on…

1. Arsenal’s Aubameyang is back in full form

That’s right; Aubameyang was on target three times for the Gunners against Marcelo Bielsa’s side and it has put a smile on the faces of many. The striker hasn’t been in brilliant form this season, so for him to come back and get a hat-trick isn’t just a massive personal achievement, but a boost for the team as a whole.

Aubameyang almost got a fourth when he hit the crossbar in the second half and was about to step up to take a second penalty before the first one occurred before it was ruled out by VAR.

He was played centrally up-front as opposed to on the left-wing where he has previously been favoured, but Mikel Arteta rested Alexandre Lacazette, which allowed him to play Aubameyang centrally.

As well as scoring three, Aubameyang was heavily involved in the game as a whole and it’s a sign of improvement that will hopefully be carried forward.

The Gabonese had a total of five shots on goal and created two chances. This has certainly given Arsenal fans something to be happy about and maybe something to look forward to for the rest of the season, depending on Arteta’s team selections going forward.

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