Despite a couple of injury worries for Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, Mikel Arteta was in positive mood after his team kicked off their home season with a [5-0 demolition of Leeds](https://arseblog.news/2025/08/arsenal-5-0-leeds-player-ratings/) at the Emirates today.
He spoke to Sky Sports afterwards, and this is what he had to say about Viktor Gyokeres, Max Dowman, Jurrien Timber and more.
**A lot to be excited about …**
It was a really positive afternoon. I think we started the season at home in a manner that we’ve done it. You could sense the energy immediately that has gone up a level. I think the team played really well, really confident, really attacking with the inconsistency and five goals, and a clean sheet, is a very good start.
**Did fluency improve after the first goal?**
Probably, and that you need that. Teams are really well organised in the league and it’s not easy to get through them. But that’s definitely a factor. We have the ability to score from various ways.
I’m very happy as well for Viktor to score the first two goals. Jurrien, two goals after such a long injury and all the hard work that he and the medical staff had to put in. And then the other debut of Mosque, and for sure the one of Max at 15 years old.
**Does he have to ‘keep a lid’ on Dowman hype?**
I think we have to gather all the information and it’s how he reacts, how he deals with that situation, what his teammates feel about him. And it’s very clear because they constantly give him the ball. And then, yeah, we have the ability as well to change the energy in this stadium by bringing him in. And then he had an impact. He wins a penalty in his debut at the Emirates.
That’s incredible.
**Have you seen anything like it before?**
Well, yes. Ethan was a bit young when he made his debut. Incredible. I think that’s credit, first of all, to the families, the way these kids have been raised and the environment that they have created, because they are not overwhelmed by the situation, by the context.
A lot of courage, a lot of determination. And then the Academy as well, the work that they’ve done to raise those kids in that manner, with that confidence, and then with that understanding of the game, which is very unusual at 15.
**On Gyokeres’ ability and power.**
I mean, he’s so powerful. He’s so determined in those actions. At the moment, he has the space and he can attack people with it.
**On the excitement of signing Eberechi Eze…**
I think you could feel it in the last 24 hours. That’s something that was happening. I think our supporters, the way they reacted to what he brought immediately, it’s something special. We signed a player with an enormous talent that he has a massive impact in this league. And on top of that, he has unbelievable feelings toward the football club.
He’s made it very clear. His family has made it very clear. And you can sense that. He just spoke to me with a massive smile on his face. So welcome to the family.
**When did you know you were going to get him?**
Well, I was very convinced yesterday that everything was going to be through. But this is football and everything has to be done. The medical has to be done, the paperwork has to be finalised. In terms of the player, how convinced he was to come, I had no doubt.
**At the start of the week, did you think maybe he was going somewhere else, not too far away?**
Probably not. At the start of the week, I wasn’t really planning that.
**On injuries to Saka and Odegaard…**
Yeah, Martin looked like a shoulder. So we have to scan tomorrow and understand how bad this is. And Bukayo, he has to come off when he was sprinting and wrestling with the defender. He felt something in his hamstring, I think. Different hamstring though, I think, which hopefully is good news.
It’s the other side, but yeah, not great news.
**Will they be long-term?**
I don’t know. We lost Kai, which is a massive player already. And now Martin and Bukayo. That’s why the squad has to be well-equipped. It’s going to be a long, long season.
And we’re going to need a lot of players in order to achieve what we want.
#### Who was your man of the match? [Arsenal 5-0 Leeds player ratings](https://arseblog.news/2025/08/arsenal-5-0-leeds-player-ratings/)