Gabriel Jesus capped off his comeback from injury by scoring twice to help Arsenal cruise to victory against Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Martin Odegaard embodied Arsenal’s team spirit with a class act before Gabriel Jesus’ penalty in the Gunners’ 4-1 win against Leeds.
The first half was a quiet affair and for the majority of it, the visitors looked liveliest, right from the opening exchanges. Just like Bournemouth did last month, the opponent nearly caught Arsenal cold straight from the kick-off, and Aaron Ramsdale was forced into his first save after just eight seconds when he pushed away a Kristensen strike.
Searching for his first goal for six months, Jesus had a great chance when he was picked out in space by Granit Xhaka but headed over, but Leeds – and Crysencio Summerville in particular – kept looking dangerous on the counter-attack, and the Dutchman was next to test Ramsdale when he played a one-two with Marc Roca to get inside our box but his effort was tame.
A minute later though, a neat passing move ended with him teeing up Jack Harison to try his luck from a tight angle and this time Arsenal shot-stopper was forced to parry his firm strike to safety.
Jesus won the penalty in the 34th minute and slotted home to score his first goal since October after returning from injury last month. And the Brazilian was given the opportunity to take the penalty by Gunners captain Odegaard who handed Jesus the ball before the kick was taken.
The Whites’ players thought Odegaard was about to take the penalty as they crowded the spot.
However, the Norwegian only threw himself into the mix to prevent mind games from affecting Jesus.
And Jesus didn’t fail to deliver from six yards out as he and Odegaard went off to celebrate the goal together. Odegaard’s gesture was hailed on Twitter by fans who praised the midfielder for his camaraderie.
One fan said: “Wonderful gesture from Odegaard to give the penalty to Jesus to take.” Then a second added: “Smart from Odegaard there. Didn’t let anyone play mind games with Jesus.”
A third person chimed in with: “Get in Jesus! Great to see him on the scoresheet once again. Nice touch of Odegaard to give it to him.”
This comment was followed by a fourth user who declared: “Martin Odegaard is a top class player and captain, giving that penalty to Gabriel Jesus was a selfless and class act.”
This sentiment was shared by a fifth person who mused: “That’s brilliant from Odegaard, could see Jesus needs a goal and gave him the penalty.. good captain’s decision in a big moment.”
Another supporter rounded off the praise by gushing: “Real captain’s gesture by Odegaard to give Gabriel Jesus the penalty.”
After our sluggish start to the first 45, Arsenal made amends after the restart and quickly wrapped up the points with two further goals.
Some Martinelli magic created the first, which saw him pick up possession on the edge of the box and trick his way past Ayling to send a teasing ball across the face of goal, and White appeared at the back post to finish it off and come back to haunt his former club.
And then on 55 minutes, Jesus doubled his tally for the afternoon.
Arsenal restored the three-goal lead with six minutes remaining when Martin Odegaard was allowed too much time and space to fizz over a fine pass into the path of the onrushing Xhaka, and he headed past Meslier to score for the third-straight game in our colours.
