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By Thomas MallowsBBC Sport
Last updated on 8 minutes ago.From the section Premier League
Gabriel Martinelli has now scored four goals in his last six Premier League appearancesTwo goals from Gabriel Martinelli helped Arsenal sweep past an injury-hit Leeds at Elland Road to secure their third successive Premier League victory.
Martinelli's double and Bukayo Saka's deflected effort made it 3-0 before half-time as the Gunners ruthlessly capitalised on an error-strewn Leeds performance.
Raphinha pulled one back from the penalty spot in the second half, before Arsenal substitute Emile Smith Rowe wrapped up an emphatic victory for Mikel Arteta's side late on.
The scoreline could have been greater but for an impressive performance by Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who made fine stops to deny Saka, Alexandre Lacazette, Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney.
Youngsters inspire Gunners to dominant win
On Christmas Day last year Arsenal were 15th in Premier League and only four points above relegation zone. Twelve months on and they are guaranteed to be in the top four on 25 December for the first time in five years.
Mikel Arteta is looking to build his side around a core group of young players and the fact all four goals were scored by 20-year-olds suggests that policy is starting to bear fruit.
They were helped by some sloppy Leeds defending, but the Gunners front four of Saka, Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Lacazette ruthlessly capitalised on any mistakes.
All this was achieved without striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was left out of the squad following a disciplinary breach.
More to follow.
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Leeds United
Squad number1Player nameMeslier
Squad number37Player nameDrameh
Squad number5Player nameKoch
Squad number2Player nameAyling
Squad number15Player nameDallas
Squad number43Player nameKlich
Squad number4Player nameForshaw
Squad number10Player nameRaphinha
Squad number11Player nameRoberts
Squad number22Player nameHarrison
Squad number30Player nameGelhardt
Squad number38Player nameSummerville
Squad number42Player nameGreenwood
Squad number45Player nameMcCarron
Arsenal
Squad number32Player nameRamsdale- Squad number18Player nameTomiyasu
- Squad number4Player nameWhite
- Squad number6Player nameGabriel Magalhães
- Squad number3Player nameTierney
- Squad number7Player nameSaka
- Squad number5Player namePartey
Squad number34Player nameXhaka- Squad number35Player nameGabriel Martinelli
- Squad number8Player nameØdegaard
Squad number9Player nameLacazette
- Squad number10Player nameSmith Rowe
- Squad number17Player nameCédric Soares
- Squad number20Player nameNuno Tavares
Line-ups
Leeds
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Meslier
- 37Drameh
- 5KochBooked at 88mins
- 2Ayling
- 15DallasBooked at 56mins
- 43KlichSubstituted forGreenwoodat 78'minutes
- 4Forshaw
- 10Raphinha
- 11Roberts
- 22HarrisonSubstituted forSummervilleat 31'minutesSubstituted forMcCarronat 81'minutes
- 30GelhardtBooked at 52mins
Substitutes
- 13Klaesson
- 26Bate
- 38Summerville
- 42Greenwood
- 45McCarron
- 47Jenkins
- 52Moore
- 54Kenneh
- 63Gray
Arsenal
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 32Ramsdale
- 18TomiyasuSubstituted forCédric Soaresat 64'minutes
- 4White
- 6Gabriel
- 3Tierney
- 7SakaSubstituted forSmith Roweat 78'minutes
- 5Partey
- 34XhakaBooked at 86mins
- 35Martinelli
- 8ØdegaardSubstituted forTavaresat 85'minutes
- 9Lacazette
Substitutes
- 1Leno
- 10Smith Rowe
- 16Holding
- 17Cédric Soares
- 19Pépé
- 20Tavares
- 21Chambers
- 25Elneny
- 30Nketiah
Referee:Andre Marriner
Attendance:36,166
Live Text
Match ends, Leeds United 1, Arsenal 4.
Second Half ends, Leeds United 1, Arsenal 4.
Foul by Tyler Roberts (Leeds United).
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Emile Smith Rowe following a set piece situation.
Robin Koch (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Robin Koch (Leeds United).
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card.
Foul by Sam Greenwood (Leeds United).
Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Arsenal. Nuno Tavares replaces Martin Ødegaard.
Goal! Leeds United 1, Arsenal 4. Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Martin Ødegaard following a fast break.
Substitution, Leeds United. Liam McCarron replaces Crysencio Summerville.
Foul by Robin Koch (Leeds United).
Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution, Leeds United. Sam Greenwood replaces Mateusz Klich.
Substitution, Arsenal. Emile Smith Rowe replaces Bukayo Saka.
Attempt missed. Crysencio Summerville (Leeds United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Mateusz Klich with a cross.
Attempt blocked. Tyler Roberts (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Mateusz Klich.
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