Martinelli at the double as Arsenal beat Leeds
Gabriel Martinelli scored his first English Premier League brace as Arsenal eased to a 4-1 victory at Leeds United.
According to arsenal.com, it made him the youngest player to score twice in a Premier League game for Arsenal since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in February 2014.
The Brazilian opened the scoring on 16 minutes at Elland Road, firing past Illan Meslier after Alexandre Lacazette had dispossessed Adam Forshaw in the area.
Martinelli then dinked the ball over Leeds’ advancing goalkeeper to double his and Arsenal’s tally in the 28th minute, before Bukayo Saka made it three with the help of a deflection three minutes before half-time.
An injury-hit Leeds, who lost Stuart Dallas during the first half, improved after the break and Raphinha gave a glimmer of hope to the home fans with a penalty after Ben White had fouled Joe Gelhardt.
However, substitute Emile Smith Rowe latched on to Martin Odegaard’s exquisite through-ball to finish and confirm Arsenal’s third straight league victory six minutes from time.
Arsenal stay fourth on 32 points, four ahead of West Ham United. Leeds, who had 15-year-old Archie Gray on the bench, are five points above the relegation zone in 16th.
Martinelli told arsenal.com: “We played the first half very well. The second half I think we dropped a bit, but it’s normal - they wanted to win the game as well, and they are a very good team. I think we did really well, it was a very important win.
“As I always say we have a (young) team, but a very strong team. We are together as a team, and we are together with the fans as well. They gave so much energy to us, and it was so important for the win as well.”