Arsenal 4 Leeds United 2: First-half Gunners blitz costs Whites as Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang nets treble

A Leeds side missing the injured Kalvin Phillips created a chance in the 12th minute when Jack Harrison's cross picked out Patrick Bamford whose header was saved by Bernd Leno.

The Gunners took the lead just one minute later when Illan Meslier's wayward pass allowed the hosts to work the ball to Aubameyang who cut in from the left and fired home inside the left hand post.

Arsenal were then awarded a penalty when skipper Liam Cooper clipped Bukayo Saka in the 34th minute but referee Stuart Attwell overturned his own decision after being advised to look at his monitor by VAR.

Tthere was no escaping a second Arsenal penalty awarded five minutes later after Meslier dithered and brought down Saka when looking to play out from the back.

Aubameyang thumped home his spot kick into the left corner and matters then got even worse for the Whites on the stroke of half-time when Hector Bellerin fired through Meslier's legs after intricate Gunners passing in the box.

Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa made a double change during the break as Helder Costa and Tyler Roberts replaced Jack Harrison and Mateusz Klich.

But Arsenal doubled their lead just two minutes after the restart after Costa was dispossessed and Emile Smith Rowe crossed for Aubameyang to head home for his hat-trick.

Leeds again looked to rally and Leno saved a decent long shot from Raphinha.

Bielsa then handed Niall Huggins a debut as the 20-year-old replaced Gjanni Alioski for his final change.

Leeds then pulled a goal back just before the hour as Pascal Struijk powered home a header from a corner.

Raphinha then dragged a shot wide but Leeds pulled a second goal back in the 69th minute as Costa powered home a lovely finish from a Roberts cross from the left.

Aubameyang then crashed an effort against the post and the woodwork also denied Saka with seven minutes left.

Meslier also produced a solid save to keep out a swerving drive from Cedric Soares but the scoring was finally done in yet another absorbing contest involving the Whites.

Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin, Luiz, Gabriel, Cedric, Xhaka, Ceballos (Holding 89), Smith Rowe (Willian 62), Odegaard (Elneny 78), Saka, Aubameyang. Subs not used: Ryan, Marí, Chambers, Martinelli, Pépé, Lacazette.

Leeds United: Meslier, Ayling, Cooper, Struijk, Alioski (Huggins 54), Shackleton, Dallas, Klich (Costa 46), Harrison (Roberts 46), Raphinha, Bamford. Subs not used: Casilla, Hernandez, Davis, Gelhardt, Cresswell, Jenkins.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/arsenal-4-2-leeds-united-live-blog-second-half-updates-emirates-3134459

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Thank you Laura Collins