ARSENAL sent a brutal warning to their Premier League rivals by demolishing unbeaten German side Bayer Leverkusen.
The Gunners beat Xabi Alonso’s team 4-1 thanks to goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.
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Ukrainian Zinchenko opened the scoring with a sublime finish early on, and Belgian teammate Trossard did the same 60 seconds later to double the score.
A revitalized Jesus scored the third just before half-time, with Havertz adding a fourth midway through the second half.
Adam Hlozek pulled one back for the German side with 76 minutes on the clock, before a dull final quarter saw the Emirates empty.
See how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated every Arsenal performance…
DAVID RAYA – 6
I had almost nothing to do except console Leverkusen. The simplest 90 minutes of your 2024 so far.
WHITE BEN – 6
Worked hard as always, but less threatening in attack without Saka in front of him for the first 45 minutes.
GABRIEL – 6
Unflappable for the most part. It put some air in your lungs and prevented injuries.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 6
Copy and paste from Gabriel’s comments. Substituted at half-time and rightly so.
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OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO – 8
In the absence of left-back Jurrien Timber and newcomer Riccardo Calafiori, the Ukrainian was impressive on the ball and very solid.
His circular pass to Havertz saw him launch a fine strike into the bottom corner.
JORGINHO – 6
Marshalled, scanned, covered. Nothing we don’t already know.
KAI HAVERTZ-8
Involved in both goals and everything good about Arsenal, back to the midfield role where he started his Arsenal career before finishing last season top of the table.
They advanced to help Zinchenko and Trossard with the first-half goals.
MARTIN ODEGAARD - 7
Calm by his standards, but showed his class whenever possible. Some cute touches and touches drawing appreciation from the stands.
FÁBIO VIEIRA – 5
He didn’t look entirely comfortable on the right wing but looked sharp on the ball, but there continue to be questions about where he fits into Arteta’s plans.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 8
Another player involved from the start. He was fooled on the edge of the box for Zinchenko’s opener and showed great composure to finish a minute later.
If he continues like this, the left wing position for the debut against Wolves is his…
GABRIEL JESUS - 9
He looks super fit and super energetic, a welcome change from the start of last season where an unstable knee hampered his pre-season.
Who needs a new striker when the Brazilian is in this kind of form, racing from his own half to score Arsenal’s third in 38 minutes.
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SUBSTITUTES
DECLAN RICE (JESUS, 45) – 7
The gauges were swallowed as expected and look set to get stuck again after an extended break after service in England.
BUKAYO SAKA (VIEIRA, 45) – 8
It’s as if he was never absent, providing an assist in the 17th minute after coming in on a run down the right flank.
JAKUB KIWIOR (SALIBA, 45) – 6
He may have been sidelined this summer, but he is a stalwart backup in his favored role of centre-back, despite being used as a wing-back last season.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY (ZINCHENKO, 45) – 7
He didn’t look out of place and appears comfortable playing as an inverted full-back, something Arteta will love, as will his recovering and tackling ability.
THOMAS PARTEY (ODEGAARD, 63) – 6
He needs to put his fitness issues behind him and hopes this is just one of many games this season where he can help.
ETHAN NWANERI (JORGINHO, 63) – 6
A mix of talent that everyone is keeping an eye on, with some encouraging runs canceled out by some sloppy passing, but other game experience to help his development.
AYDEN’S HEAVEN (GABRIEL, 70) – 6
An imposing unit capable of maintaining their game in a senior game. There is still a lot to learn and definitely one for the distant future.
JOSH NICHOLS (WHITE, 70) – 6
A very different perspective from White. Light in the frame, but quick with and without the ball. Another who will likely remain in Arsenal’s academy squads for now.
EDDIE NKETIAH (HAVERTZ, 70) – 6
He looks like a man who needs to leave. He was barely involved in the action above, but was not helped by the drop in atmosphere and intensity of the game.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI (TROSSARD, 81) – N/A
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