Five talking points from Leeds v Arsenal

Five talking points from Leeds v Arsenal

By Jonny Bray
Arsenal recorded another impressive result against Leeds United yesterday.
The 4-1 win was the last Saturday game left standing after a series of postponements due to Covid-19, and the Gunners put a smile on fans faces with another strong performance.
Here are five talking points from yesterday's game.

Martinelli is the real deal

Gabriel Martinelli has always had a ridiculous amount of potential.
But in the last few weeks or so, it appears the Brazilian forward is finally putting in the performances we all know he can.
He's been outstanding and his two goals yesterday put the Gunners in an exceptional position to secure the win and move four points clear of West Ham in fifth.
Martinelli is one of the players to benefit from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's absence, starting five successive Premier League games for the first time in his Gunners career.
With the Gabon international looking to be on his way out of the club, it could be Martinelli who fills his shoes in the long term, not just the short term.

Leeds aren't as good as the media have made out

I know they have a catalogue of injuries, but Leeds have been appalling this season.
After being the media darlings of the Premier League last year, Marcelo Bielsa's side have struggled to get going this term and now look in legitimate relegation trouble.
The scoreline could have been even worse for the Yorkshire side, who had their goalkeeper to thank after smart saves stopped Bukayo Saka, Alexandre Lacazette, Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney from grabbing goals.
The defending was of schoolboy standard at times and if they don't sort themselves out quickly, they'll be out of the division, and Bielsa will be out of the job.

Raphinha is good enough to play for Arsenal

The only upside for Leeds yesterday was the performance of Raphinha, who pulled a goal back for his side from the penalty spot.
He's been a shining light for Leeds this campaign and is a big reason why they aren't in a far worse state than they're currently in.
He's scored 14 goals and created ten more since arriving at the club last season, a ridiculous tally by any standards, but a third of that time has been spent playing in a really poor team.
If Leeds go down, Arsenal could get him at an incredibly affordable price.

The youngsters are carrying this team

Players like Saka, Smith-Rowe, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Martinelli and Aaron Ramsdale are holding this team together at the moment.
While it's a real indictment on the quality of the experienced pros at the club, you can't help but be proud of the young guns who are restoring pride to the red and white jersey.
All four goals were scored by players 21 and under yesterday, and it's a sign of things to come at the Emirates, where we can expect to see these players star for the club for many years to come.

Kieran Tierney should be Arsenal captain

With Aubameyang being stripped of the Arsenal captaincy, it's time to find his replacement.
Tierney was superb yesterday, once again showing that he has the quality and mentality to captain a club of Arsenal's stature.He's the logical, and correct, choice and the sooner he's got the armband full-time, the better.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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