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Arsenal beat Leeds United 4-2 to move to tenth in the 2020-21 Premier League table.
The build-up to this game was billed as the #BattleFor10th, as both teams sat mid-table. Apart from their similar league positions, the two teams are pretty similar in terms of their playing styles.
The encounter lived up to its billing, producing a six-goal thriller. A Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang hattrick accompanied by a Hector Bellerín strike put Arsenal 4-0 up by the 47th minute and firmly in the ascendancy.
However, Marcelo Bielsa's team hit back with a Pascal Struijk header and a Helder Costa strike. Arsenal, though, managed to see out the remainder of the game to grab all three points and climb up the league table.
On that note, let us have a look at the five talking points from the game.
#5 Martin Odegaard makes a start
The Norwegian playmaker Martin Odegaard arrived at Arsenal in the recently-concluded January transfer window. The 22-year-old, gifted his first start in Arsenal colours, produced a performance that didn’t disappoint.
Although not at his sharpest, Odegaard’s quality was there for all to see. He got himself out of tight spaces, and connected well with his teammates in the final third.
In a promising 78 minutes on the pitch, the loanee completed 100% of his take-ons and 81% of his passes. He also won three duels and created one chance.
#4 Dani Ceballos makes a rousing return for Arsenal
In the absence of Thomas Partey, Arsenal needed someone to step up. Dani Ceballos did just that with his first start in over a month.
Up against a team that doesn't give opponents time on the ball, Ceballos adapted his game to ensure Arsenal beat that press with ease.
In a very combative and tactically astute performance, the 24-year-old completed 43 passes, created one chance and intercepted three passes.
His anticipation was on point, and his ability to link up quickly with his teammates helped Arsenal progress play efficiently.
#3 Patrick Bamford has a quiet outing
Patrick Bamford has had a fabulous season, but against Arsenal, he had a rather quiet outing.
The 27-year-old came into this game with 12 goals in 23 league games. However, at the Emirates, he was kept subdued by a combative Gabriel Magalhaes, who man-marked the Englishman throughout the game.
Across the 90 minutes, Bamford only had 26 touches, attempting just one shot and losing possession seven times.
#2 Saka and Smith-Rowe impress for Arsenal
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe have been the standout performers for Arsenal this season.
Saka has built on his exploits from last season, while Smith-Rowe has translated his Europa League form into the Premier League. The duo has produced performances belying their tender years
Although he didn’t score on the day, Saka has scored five goals this season, the most by any teenager in the 2020-21 Premier League.
Meanwhile, Smith-Rowe notched up his fourth league assist of the campaign despite playing only ten league games. Between them, the duo has had 16 goal-involvements this season.
#1 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rediscovers his mojo
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang has not been in great form this season, scoring only eight times in 22 games.
But with three creative players behind him, the 31-year-old enjoyed a feast in front of goal. The Arsenal captain bagged a clinical hat-trick.
The first was a near-post strike after cutting in from the left; the second was a confidently taken penalty, while the third was an opportunistic tap-in at the far post.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is at his best when he is playing through the middle.
The Gabonese is a player who thrives finishing off moves and not when involved in the build-up. That is something Arteta would do well to keep in mind going forward.
