LONDON: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit a hat-trick as Arsenal fought off Leeds in a thrilling 4-2 win at the Emirates on Sunday.
The Arsenal captain had scored just five league goals all season in a frustrating campaign for the Gunners, but he took full advantage of Leeds’ expansive style to score his first Premier League hat-trick.
Aubameyang opened the floodgates with a fine low finish on 13 minutes.
Arsenal then saw a penalty overruled after a VAR review when Bukayo Saka went down under a challenge from Liam Cooper.
But just moments later Saka was upended again in the box by Meslier after he was caught in possession.
Aubameyang slammed home the spot-kick before Hector Bellerin’s powerful strike beat Meslier at his near post to make it 3-0 before half-time.
Two minutes into the second half it was 4-0 as Aubameyang completed his hat-trick with a header at the back post from Emile Smith Rowe’s cross.
It is little over 10 years ago that Arsenal famously blew a 4-0 lead to draw 4-4 with Newcastle.
But there was no repeat as instead Mikel Arteta’s men twice came closest to extending their lead as Aubameyang and Saka smashed shots off the post.
A first win in four games takes Arsenal above Leeds in the table into 10th, but they are still six points adrift of their target of a top-four finish.
