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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Arsenal player ratings vs Leeds: Gabriel Jesus stars for Gunners with Gabriel Martinelli lively again

Arsenal restored their eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 4-1 win over Leeds.

The Gunners started slowly at Emirates Stadium, but took the lead when Luke Ayling brought down Gabriel Jesus in the box and the Brazilian converted the penalty.

Arsenal went up a gear after the break, racing into a three-goal lead after Ben White scored and Jesus got his second of the game.

Rasmus Kristensen pulled one back for Leeds, however Granit Xhaka headed home with six minutes remaining to settle any nerves.

Simon Collings was at Emirates Stadium to see Arsenal in action...

Aaron Ramsdale 6

Made a couple of good saves in either half. His strong save from Jack Harrison in the first-half felt like a big moment with the game tied at 0-0. Beaten by a deflected strike.

Ben White 7

Got on the scoresheet against his old club to help Arsenal restore their eight-point lead at the top. Overlooked by England, but continues to impress for the Gunners.

Rob Holding 6

Handed a second start in a row with William Saliba still out injured due to a back injury. A fairly solid performance overall, particularly in the air.

Gabriel 6

Enjoyed a comfortable afternoon’s work as Leeds lacked a real focal point upfront. Went close to scoring from a corner in the second-half.

Oleksandr Zinchenko 6

A quiet game by his high standards and he wasn’t as influential in possession as usual. Leeds’ goal came via a deflection off him.

Martin Odegaard 7

Was poor in the first-half and loose in possession. Much, much better after the break and capped of his performance with a great assist for Xhaka’s goal.

Thomas Partey 6

Restricted to an hour after missing Ghana’s draw with Angola on Monday. Put in a solid performance and was largely neat and tidy in possession.

Granit Xhaka 7

Enjoying a fine run of form at the moment in front of goal. Headed home here to make it four goals in his last five games for club and country.

Granit Xhaka was among the goals again to cap another fine afternoon for Arsenal (AFP via Getty Images)

Leandro Trossard 7

Really struggled in the first-half and he summed up how flat Arsenal were. Much improved after the break, though, and setup the third goal.

Gabriel Jesus 8 | Star player

Back among the goals for the first time since the start of October to fire Arsenal to victory. Scored a penalty and added a second after the break. Should have had a hat-trick, but wasted a good headed chance.

Gabriel Martinelli 7

Put in a brilliant cross for Arsenal’s second goal as he picked out Ben White at the back post. Bright and lively, caused Ayling plenty of problems.

Substitutions

Bukayo Saka (Jesus 60’) 6

Had to start on the bench due to illness. Had a hand in the move for the fourth goal.

Jorginho (Partey 60’) 6

On at the base of midfield and helped Arsenal see the game out.

Emile Smith Rowe (Odegaard 85’) N/A

Kieran Tierney (Zinchenko 85’) N/A

Fabio Vieira (Xhaka 86’) N/A

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