ARSENAL faces a trip to fellow Premier League side Bournemouth in the fourth round of the FA Cup after a hard-fought win over Leeds United at the Emirates on Monday.

Marcelo Bielsa’s Championship table-toppers dominated for large periods of the first half, but a combination of poor finishing and the form of home goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez kept them at bay as Patrick Bamford, Jack Harrison and Robbie Gotts all missed chances.

The Gunners finally woke up in the second period, and took the lead when Reiss Nelson scuffed in from close range. Matteo Guendouzi and Alexandre Lacazette came close to adding a second, but Mikel Arteta’s side held out to record a victory in their new manager’s first FA Cup tie in charge.

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang quashed speculation surrounding his future this month ahead of the clash with Leeds.

Aubameyang has scored 56 goals in 90 games since joining the Gunners just under two years ago, but has only 18 months left to run on his contract.

Reports have suggested the Gabon international, 30, is keen to make sure he is playing Champions League next season.

Arsenal is nine points off the Premier League top four as the Gunners aim to end a three-year exile from Europe’s premier club competition. They could also secure a Champions League return by winning the Europa League.

“I would also like to react to some of the rumors that are going around about me in the media,” Aubameyang told Arsenal’s official match day program.

“People like making up stories and they should focus on what’s happening on the pitch. They talk too much and it does my head in!

“I am the Arsenal captain. I love this club. I am committed to it and desperate to bring it back to the top, where it belongs.”

New Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said earlier last week that he is not even considering the possibility that Aubameyang could leave this month.

“I don’t even think about that possibility with Auba,” said Arteta. “I want him here.”

Arteta has made a positive impact in just over two weeks in charge with a 2-0 win over Manchester United on Jan. 1 the blueprint for what Arsenal is hoping Pep Guardiola’s former assistant can bring to the Emirates.

Aubameyang has also been impressed by the Spaniard and believes 2020 can be a far more successful year after a disappointing 2019 that ultimately cost Unai Emery his job.

“You can see improvement in our performances and now it has materialized with a deserved win,” added Aubameyang.

(SD-Agencies)