Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 1, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
3 standout Arsenal players from the 4-1 thrashing of Leeds
After a sluggish start to the match from Arsenal, the Gunners eventually turned on the style and cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory, with the added bonus of a brace from Gabriel Jesus.
It was by no means the perfect performance, with plenty of room for improvement, but in many ways that shows just how far this side have already come under Mikel Arteta – they were far from their best and yet they still secured a 4-1 victory. In years gone by, that would not have been the case.
With that being said, there were still several good performances from those in an Arsenal shirt, and here are the three standout players from the match.
3 standout Arsenal players from 4-1 win against Leeds United
Another home win in the bag, what a support out there today! 😍❤️ pic.twitter.com/f5LkNph1Hn
— Leandro Trossard (@LTrossard) April 1, 2023
1. Leandro Trossard
It is a testament to the quality of Leandro Trossard that very few of us were worried when we saw that Bukayo Saka was named on the bench. He has been an excellent signing; so good in fact that many fans have forgotten all about a certain Mykhaylo Mudryk who, coincidentally, has struggled at Chelsea.
While not his best game in Arsenal colours, Trossard’s best qualities were on display against Leeds: quick feet, control in tight areas and perhaps most impressively, defensive work rate. The Belgian made two interceptions, created two big chances and registered one assist during the match, as well as being very tidy on the ball.
He is unlikely to ever displace Gabriel Martinelli, Saka or Gabriel Jesus from the starting XI when they are all fit, but we are incredibly lucky to have him as an option in the squad. Without him, our title charge would likely have collapsed before this point.
Continued on the next slide…
pic.twitter.com/f5LkNph1Hn
<p>— Leandro Trossard (@LTrossard) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-standout-arsenal-players-from-4-1-thrashing-of-leeds-united/"https://twitter.com/LTrossard/status/1642226032391471104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 1, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-standout-arsenal-players-from-4-1-thrashing-of-leeds-united/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<h2>1. Leandro Trossard</h2>
<p>It is a testament to the quality of Leandro Trossard that very few of us were worried when we saw that Bukayo Saka was named on the bench. He has been an excellent signing; so good in fact that many fans have forgotten all about a certain <a title="Did Arsenal dodge a bullet by missing out on Mykhaylo Mudryk?" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-standout-arsenal-players-from-4-1-thrashing-of-leeds-united/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/02/20/arsenal-dodge-bullet-missing-mykhaylo-mudryk/" rel="">Mykhaylo Mudryk</a> who, coincidentally, has struggled at Chelsea.</p>
<p>While not his best game in Arsenal colours, Trossard’s best qualities were on display against Leeds: quick feet, control in tight areas and perhaps most impressively, defensive work rate. The Belgian made <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-standout-arsenal-players-from-4-1-thrashing-of-leeds-united/"https://www.sofascore.com/arsenal-leeds-united/JsR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two interceptions</a>, created two big chances and registered one assist during the match, as well as being very tidy on the ball.</p>
<p>He is unlikely to ever displace Gabriel Martinelli, Saka or Gabriel Jesus from the starting XI when they are all fit, but we are incredibly lucky to have him as an option in the squad. Without him, our title charge would likely have collapsed before this point.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-standout-arsenal-players-from-4-1-thrashing-of-leeds-united/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 standout performer </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>2. Granit Xhaka</h2>
<div id="attachment_133285" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-133285" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-standout-arsenal-players-from-4-1-thrashing-of-leeds-united/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2412,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1478780666.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2412" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1478780666.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1478780666-768x579.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Granit Xhaka was on the scoresheet once again. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
<p>It’s now hard to believe that once upon a time, Granit Xhaka’s future at the club looked bleak at the very best. But, due in part to Arteta’s revolutionary thinking behind the Swiss international’s new role, and of course as a result of Xhaka’s determination, he has become one of our most important players. He is now a true number eight, and he is thriving.</p>
<p>The match against Leeds showcased exactly why he is so important in our current system. Not only did he score a fantastic header, courtesy of a sumptuous lofted pass from Martin Odegaard, but he also contributed defensively too.</p>
<p>The 30-year-old was solid alongside Thomas Partey, particularly in the second half, and provided the attack with the platform they need to do what they do best. Ironically, that is now an attack in which he is an important cog.</p>
<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-standout-arsenal-players-from-4-1-thrashing-of-leeds-united/"https://www.arsenal.com/news/every-word-mikels-post-leeds-presser-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arteta suggested</a> after the match that Xhaka’s increased proficiency in front of goal is due to a change of mentality.</p>
<blockquote><p>“Yes, especially here [points to head] because when you think you are going to score, you score and then you believe in the next game that you are going to score.”</p></blockquote>
<p>He has now scored five Premier League goals this season and is one of the biggest assets in our squad currently.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-standout-arsenal-players-from-4-1-thrashing-of-leeds-united/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 standout performer </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>3. Gabriel Jesus</h2>
<div id="attachment_133329" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-133329" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-standout-arsenal-players-from-4-1-thrashing-of-leeds-united/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1250345889.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1250345889.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1250345889-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Oh, how good is it to have this man back? (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
</div>
<p>Last, but by no means least, is the one and only Gabriel Jesus. After <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-standout-arsenal-players-from-4-1-thrashing-of-leeds-united/"https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/03/arsenal-striker-gabriel-jesus-suffers-world-cup-ending-knee-injury-17872554/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suffering a long-term injury</a> during the World Cup while representing Brazil, there were concerns that he’d struggle to hit the ground running upon his return to the matchday squad. Those doubts have now well and truly been eradicated.</p>
<p>In truth, any concerns were largely addressed in Jesus’ impressive cameo against Fulham a few weeks ago, but his performance in this match confirmed that the 26-year-old is already back to his brilliant best, or very close to it at least.</p>
<p>His trademark close control, dazzling runs and ever-present work rate were all on display, with his two goals rounding the performance off. The finishes, which were his first since October, will surely provide him with some much-needed confidence in front of goal and will be a massive boost to our title chances.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="rVrSuVGxzV"><p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-standout-arsenal-players-from-4-1-thrashing-of-leeds-united/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/02/warning-arsenal-man-city-found-irresistible-groove/">Warning Arsenal: Man City have found their irresistible groove</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-standout-arsenal-players-from-4-1-thrashing-of-leeds-united/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/02/warning-arsenal-man-city-found-irresistible-groove/embed/#?secret=rVrSuVGxzV" data-secret="rVrSuVGxzV" width="500" height="282" title="“Warning Arsenal: Man City have found their irresistible groove” — Pain in the Arsenal" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p></div>
<p>He was magnificent against Leeds, and hopefully, he will be able to carry that form into our upcoming away fixture against Liverpool at the weekend.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
