By leaving creative playmaker Bukayo Saka on the bench after a string of internationals with England, coach Mikel Arteta appears to have taken a risky gamble with Arsenal's attack, especially when the Spanish coach used Gabriel Jesus as a starter for the first time after half a year out due to injury.
Jack Harrison vs Leandro Trossard
The visitors Leeds United are currently just 1 point above the relegation zone and therefore, the fact that coach Javi Garcia's team plays a tight defense and is ready to fight for the ball from midfield really makes Arsenal struggle. During the first 25 minutes, Arsenal struggled to find a way into the opponent's goal with only 1 chance belonging to Gabriel Jesus but the Brazilian striker wasted it.
Gabriel Jesus earned a penalty and opened the scoring for Arsenal himself
In the 32nd minute, Gabriel Jesus dribbled boldly into the Leeds United penalty area, forcing Luke Ayling to block. The referee awarded Arsenal a penalty and Jesus himself successfully converted the free kick to open the scoring. 1-0 was also the result when both sides left the field at half-time.
Ben White doubled the lead for the home team
The deadlock was broken, Arsenal played better and better and continuously put the ball into Leeds United's net when the second half started. In the 47th minute, Gabriel Martinelli received the ball on the left wing, passed a player and passed inside to Ben White who leisurely put the ball into the visitors' net.
Jesus completed a brace on his first day back on the pitch after half a year
Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard combined beautifully in the visitors' penalty area in the 55th minute for Jesus to complete his double for the Gunners. Leading by two goals, Arsenal slowed down the game, creating an opportunity for Kristensen to shoot accurately, narrowing the score to 1-3 for Leeds United. In the 86th minute, Martin Odengaard crossed the ball accurately for Granit Xhaka to head in, sealing a 4-1 victory for the Emirates team.
Granit Xhaka sealed a 4-1 win for the Gunners
The valuable home win helped Arsenal re-establish an 8-point lead over second-placed Man City, although the Gunners have played one more match. The important thing is that Mikel Arteta's team knows they need to accumulate points through each round, and cannot afford to make any mistakes until they meet Man City in the unofficial "final" on April 27 to decide the championship race.
Too unlucky with countless opportunities created in front of Aston Villa's goal, the home team Chelsea had to pay the price with two goals scored by Ollie Watkins and John McGinn divided equally in both halves. Even the return of N'Golo Kante could not help Chelsea improve the situation when Aston Villa played an extremely good defensive counter-attack.
Emiliano Martinez saved 7 shots from host Chelsea
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez had an excellent performance as usual, blocking all 7 shots that could have been scored by the "The Blues" strikers in this match, helping Aston Villa move up to 9th place and "push" Chelsea out of the Top 10.
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