A 5-0 drumming of the Peacocks, or Whites, if you prefer that nickname, was just what the shrink ordered. We all loved the 1-0 at Old Bog, a result we will always take when playing red or blue Manchester. But we also knew that our attacking football was underwhelming, and that Arteta and the boys had work to do. To then play our first home game this season v newly promoted Leeds offered a great opportunity to put in a marker, and that’s exactly what Arsenal did yesterday.
Leeds started well enough. They were well drilled to soak up pressure with a low block and then pounce on the counter (ideally targeting the space and personnel on our left). Farke wanted his team not to sit back all the time but also come out and play. But, as he also later admitted, Arsenal were simply to dominate and strong, especially in midfield.
It looks to me that with Calafiori pushing up on the left our attack is more balanced. Madueke, chosen over Martinelli and Trossard on our left, offered a presence and energy Arsenal have not had for a while. With both wings offering a threat, there appeared to be more space through the middle for the likes Odegaard, Rice and Zubimendi. Gyokeres was also dynamic and produced the sort of runs and movements that made the central defence of Leeds constantly unsettled. Yet, poor final and penultimate balls kept us from creating gild-edged chances. The boys were trying hard and the Whites held strong and something special, or in Arsenal’s case typical, had to happen.
**1-0 to the Arsenal**
Set-piece again Ole Ole. What a weapon and monster this is: 33 in 78 games now (since August 2023); that’s 0.42 per game! And it was a beauty of a set-piece. The fear factor for these is enormous, and that in itself is a reason for Arsenal’s success with these. What are the Gunners going to do this time? Who to mark? Why are they all standing at the back post? at the edge of the box? all in an offsite position? etc etc. It is just pure pandemonium.
**2-0 to the Arsenal**
The second goal was a team beauty and school example of how to beat a low block. Raise the tempo, push hard, make lots of movement in and around the box and defenders lose their whereabouts and control: organised chaos. Nwaneri was a big factor in this. He lost the ball but Rice regained it, the always quick thinking and acting Timber, on a high after his fine opening goal, played in Saka with a finely weighted ball into the box. Bukayo had plenty of time to look and plan his action. Gyokeres was ready to pounce and this created space and doubt in the defence; the young Englishmen sharpened his ‘weaker’ right foot and rifled the ball into the top far corner. Glorious.
**3-0 to the Arsenal**
The third goal is of course a very important one. It settled the game for us but, more importantly, it was Gyokeres’ first PL goal of his Arsenal career. And one from open play: after Calafiori launched him into space, Viktor had a lot to do but he had been waiting for such a ball all game long. It was a brilliant individual goal and scored with the sort of confidence and ease that we have been missing sorely from a central attacking in recent years. Welcome to the Arsenal, Viktor.
**4-0 to the Arsenal**
Set-piece again Ole Ole. Enough said.
**5-0 to the Arsenal**
Max Dowman on the ball, with or without space, is a joy to watch. He takes you back to playing football with jumpers for goal posts: caress the ball and move forward, take on opponents, and take them on again, until the ball is past the line. He gets fouled so often and has already gained two penalties for us in a handful of games on the pitch. Arsenal only got two PL penalties all season in 2024-25, and Max is the sort of player who will get them for us time and again. Gyokeres took the penalty the Neeskens way. No nonsense with tricking the goalkeeper, just filthy power. Boooooooooom.
I don’t think I have been happier this years, except for the drumming of the other Whites from Madrid at the home of football. Yes we lost a few players to injury but this is happening to all clubs at the moment. A five nil win is always wonderful, but it is that heavenly Eberechi Eze smile when he entered the ground that was especially sweet and will stay with me forever. Welcome home, son.
“The end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” T.S. Eliot
**By TotalArsenal**