Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Madueke, Saka, Gyokeres
Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly, Kiwior, Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard, Dowman, Martinelli
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Arsenal first Premier League game of the season ended with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Leeds thanks to two goals from Jurrien Timber, one from Bukayo Saka, and a double strike for Viktor Gyokeres, including one from the spot.
Mikel Arteta’s team selection saw a first start for Noni Madueke, with Gyokeres leading the line again, while 15 year old Max Dowman made the bench for the first time in his fledgling career.
Martin Odegaard had the first shot of the game, blocked from outside the box in the 5th minute as the Gunners got on top in terms of possession quickly. The captain had another go shortly afterwards, fizzing one not far wide after being set-up by Bukayo Saka.
Jayden Bogle picked up a yellow card for a 9th minute foul on Noni Madueke, and there was a big chance for Gyokeres after a mistake from the defender. The striker tried to take it first time on the turn and put it wide, but he probably had time to take a touch before applying a close range finish.
At the other end, David Raya made an exceptional save from a Leeds corner, palming a bullet header over the bar, and in the 28th minute there was an injury worry when Odegaard – who fell awkwardly earlier in the game – needed prolonged treatment for a shoulder injury. It looked as if Ethan Nwaneri was set to come on but the captain continued.
The game had gone quite flat, but in the 34th minute we went ahead – again from a set-piece. Declan Rice’s delivery was superb, and Jurrien Timber applied the finish with a really smart glancing header. 1-0.
Soon after, Odegaard’s race was run and he was replaced by Nwaneri, and just before the break the lead was doubled. Leeds lost the ball, Rice pressed high to win it, Zubimendi found Timber who played Saka outside the full back, and from a tight angle he lashed a right footed shot beyond the keeper. 2-0.
There were no changes from either manager at the break, and in three minutes in we scored again and it was a first goal for Gyokeres in red and white. Calafiori played it first time over the top, the Swedish international took it on down the left, ran into the box, and on his right foot finished inside the near post. 3-0.
Unfortunately there was more injury woe when Saka went down in the 52nd minute, and he was replaced by Leandro Trossard. That meant Madueke moving to the right hand side, and in the 56th minute Arsenal scored again after a Nwaneri shot was deflected wide by a defender. Rice’s corner came in, the ball fell into the six yard box, Leeds couldn’t get it clear and Timber poked it home for his second goal of the game. 4-0.
Just after the hour mark, Arteta made a triple change, bringing on Myles Lewis-Skelly, Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman for Timber, Calafiori and Madueke. It meant two debuts, for the summer signing and the 15 year old who impressed so much in pre-season.
At that point the game was very much won, Leeds made some changes themselves, but the game lacked urgency as you might imagine. Lovely work from Trossard allowed Dowman his first sight of goal, but he fired over from outside the box. A Nwaneri free kick was headed clear by Leeds and gave Dowman another chance, but he fired wide on the volley.
In the 3rd minute of 5 added minutes at the end, the referee pointed to the spot when Dowman drove into the Leeds box. Gyokeres stepped up to take it, and slammed it home for a brace on his debut and to make it 5-0.
In the end, a bitter-sweet day for Arsenal. An impressive win, a good goal haul and a clean sheet, but injury worries for Saka and Odegaard ahead of next Sunday’s trip to Anfield cast a little shadow over proceedings.