Arsenal 4 Leeds 2 LIVE REACTION: Aubameyang scores hat-trick as Bielsa’s men fail in late comeback – latest updates

GOODNiGHT FROM NORTH LONDON

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Arsenal bagged four
While Leeds managed two

There certainly was plenty of love shown to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on this Valentine’s Day – not least by the Leeds defence and goalkeeper during a dismal first half display from visitors.

Recalled to the first team, the Arsenal captain bagged his first Premier League hat-trick as Mikel Arteta’s men raced into a four-goal lead inside 47 minutes at the Emirates Stadium.

However, if there’s one club that don’t know when they’re beaten, it’s Leeds – and if there’s one club that can make hard work of a four-goal lead, it’s Arsenal – so it was no surprise to see the Yorkshire club rally late on.

Their two-goal response threatened a sensational comeback, but the Gunners stood up to the challenge for a most welcome win.

The result was enough to lift Arsenal above their opponents and into the top half of the table, and all the while setting Mikel Arteta’s men up nicely for their visit to Benfica on Thursday.

For Leeds, it may feel like another heavy defeat, and another pointless trip to London, but they can take heart in the knowledge that it’s one they will definitely be making again next season.

Thanks for reading and goodbye.

UPBEAT ARTETA

A delighted Mikel Arteta has praised his side for their performance against a Leeds side that never lost heart, and signalled out his captain for making a triumphant return to action.

I’m very pleased with the result and very happy with the performance – especially in the first half – against a fantastic team that make it very hard for you.

Mikel Arteta

PIERRE-HAT-TRICK AUBAMEYANG

Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has endured a difficult season but he marked his return to the starting line-up today with his first Premier League hat-trick. After the game, he paid tribute to his family, his club and the Arsenal fans for helping him through a bleak period.

I’m really happy and my kids are going to be happy too because they’ll get [the match ball]. It means a lot to me. It’s been a tough time for me but now it’s time to get the smile back, win games and score goals. Everyone has given me a lot of love. I’m really proud to be part of this family.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

FULL TIME STATS

As exciting and intriguing a game as when these sides met at Elland Road earlier in the season. Only this time with added goals.

FT: ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

A first Premier League hat-trick from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang help Arsenal into the top half of the table at the expense of their opponents. The Gunners were given a late scare as Leeds fought back from 4-0 down, but held on for a first win in four.

PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FINAL WHISTLE GOES AT THE EMIRATES!

ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

90+5. Dallas is booked for scything down Aubameyang as the Arsenal forward threatened to counter from a Leeds corner.

It’s late, it’s cynical and it should mean the end of the game.

ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

90+3. Shackleton nearly finds himself in on goal after a wonderful pass from Roberts, but somehow – more through luck than judgement – Cedric manages deny the Leeds man.

ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

90+2. They say subs change games but it’s not always for the better…

ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

90+1. In the first minute of stoppage time, Leeds are guilt tripped into putting an attack out of play with Aubameyang down injured in the other half of the field.

The hat-trick hero was accidentally caught on the calf by Ayling’s studs.

ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

90. Ayling launches a long, hopeful ball forward as the clock strikes 90 minutes.

There will be an additional four minutes of stoppage time to be played.

ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

88. Defensive reinforcements for Mikel Arteta. Rob Holding is on to shore up the back-line in these final stages, replacing Dani Ceballos.

ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

87. Cedric tries his luck with a swerving shot from distance.

It should be a routine stop for Meslier, but given his day so far, perhaps Leeds fans should be grateful for his dramatic parry away.

ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

85. David Luiz to Arsenal’s rescue. The much-maligned defender is in the right place to clear off the toes of Bamford following good build-up play from Huggins and Ayling.

A third goal for Leeds there and it would have been panic stations in the home ranks.

ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

83. Saka! Post!

Excellent stuff from the teenager, who plays a one-two with Willian, before racing in on goal and sliding a shot on to the base of the post.

Replays show that the Arsenal youngster was offside in the build-up so it wouldn’t have counted.

ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

80. Costa and Roberts haven’t been in the best of form lately, but there can be no doubting that their arrival helped turn this game – after that initial opening minute of the second half when they combined to set up Arsenal’s fourth.

ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

78. Another change for the hosts. Martin Odegaard’s steady first start in the Premier League is over, and it will be Willian trusted to see out this one.

ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

76. Straight up the other end, and Aubameyang is presented with a chance to kill off the comeback but strikes the crossbar with his first time effort.

The visitors are leaving bigger and bigger gaps at the back, and you feel Arsenal may just exploit them on the break.

ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

75. Excellent football from the visitors sees Bamford race into the box, only to go down under pressure from Cedric and Gabriel.

The Leeds forward wants a penalty, but Stuart Atwell is not interested – and neither are the VAR officials.

ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

71. This is a worry for Leeds fans.

Instrumental to this recovery, Raphinha has now gone down injured and appears in some discomfort.

The visitors have already made their three substitutions so there is an anxious wait while the winger receives treatment.

Thankfully, he is given the green light to continue.

ARSENAL 4-2 LEEDS

69. Well, well, well…

Raphinha catches Hector Bellerin napping with a through ball for Tyler Roberts, and the forward keeps his cool to pull a pass back from the touchline for fellow substitute Helder Costa.

The Portuguese international keeps his cool by lifting a first time shot beyond Bernd Leno, and with just over 20 minutes to play, the deficit is cut to two.

GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLL!!
HELDER COSTA GETS LEEDS’ SECOND!!

ARSENAL 4-1 LEEDS

66. A half-chance for Raphinha.

Ceballos gives the ball away on the edge of his own box, allowing Leeds to spring into action.

Roberts quickly moves play on to Raphinha on the left, only for the Brazilian to drag his shot wide of Leno’s far post.

ARSENAL 4-1 LEEDS

64. Raphinha looks for Struijk again with another corner. This time, however, the Arsenal defence stay alert to the danger and manage to clear their lines.

ARSENAL 4-1 LEEDS

63. A great chance for Bellerin to bag his second and Arsenal’s fifth.

The right-back runs on to Odegaard’s pass in acres of space, but takes an awful first touch that sees him dispossessed by Dallas.