Arsenal 5-0 Leeds: Goals, debuts, presentations, and injuries

Match report – Participant rankings – Arteta response – Video

There’s all the time a buzz forward of the primary residence recreation of the brand new season, and yesterday was no exception. This time although, it wasn’t simply in regards to the recreation itself, it was a couple of new addition to the squad. Eberechi Eze’s switch from Crystal Palace was introduced half an hour earlier than kick-off, and the participant’s arrival on the pitch at 5.20 was met with rapturous applause.

What a second for the 27 12 months previous whose profession has come full circle. Launched by Arsenal at 13 years of age, again as soon as once more, like some sort of renegade grasp, 14 years later. The smile on his face instructed you all the pieces you wanted to know, and it set the scene for what was to come back.

🎙️ Take a look at our new participant podcast on Patreon

Mikel Arteta handed a primary begin to Noni Madueke on the left, and the remainder of the crew was  roughly as you’d count on. I believe we began fairly brightly, however the recreation fell into a well-known sample the place our domination of possession for Leeds to take a seat deep, and we lacked penetration within the ultimate third. Generally you want craft to make the breakthrough, typically a sledgehammer, and typically all you want is a nook. Particularly when you’re Arsenal.

Jurrien Timber’s sensible header from Declan Rice’s excellent supply broke the impasse, and eased a few of the stress. Simply earlier than the break, Rice’s business received again possession, Martin Zubimendi discovered Timber, his cross set Bukayo Saka free and his right-footed shot whizzed past the keeper for 2-0. It actually felt like a purpose we wanted, and a purpose that Saka himself wanted.

Sadly although, he picked up an damage early within the second half. It appears like a hamstring pressure, this time on the opposite leg, and he was clearly in some discomfort when he got here off. That damage was clearly compounded by the lack of Martin Odegaard within the first half, the captain pressured off with a shoulder drawback after touchdown awkwardly when he was fouled in midfield. It was principally an excellent day yesterday, however dropping these two gamers forged a little bit of a shadow – not least as a result of we go to Anfield subsequent week. Afterwards, Mikel Arteta mentioned:

That’s why the squad needs to be well-equipped. It’s going to be a protracted, lengthy season. And we’re going to wish numerous gamers with the intention to obtain what we wish.

Folks have requested the place is Eze going to play. I don’t assume we have to fear about that an excessive amount of, to be trustworthy. In a single week we’ve picked up accidents to Saka, Odegaard and Havertz – key males in Arteta’s set-up – so we’re going to wish to make use of the total extent of our squad. It’s a large concern to have these accidents in clusters like this, however you would need to say the squad appears in first rate form to have the ability to cope.

Let’s get again to the good things although. With the highlight on Viktor Gyokeres – and Gary Neville’s relentless chirping on Sky Sports activities including to the exterior noise across the summer time signing – he actually wanted a purpose yesterday. There was a primary half likelihood that he snatched at, however early within the second a ball excessive from Riccardo Calafiori gave the Swedish striker an opportunity to run into area after which on the Leeds defence. He drove into the field and completed nicely on the close to submit to make it 3-0 and get himself off the mark in pink and white.

I don’t know if it’s fairly the trademark purpose they had been making an attempt to make out on TV afterwards, however there’s no query that he’s actually efficient in these moments, and in these areas. The very fact he acquired one other from the spot late on may have added some gloss to his day, and it’s most likely essential to notice that he acquired a full 90 minutes underneath his belt. By his personal admission his pre-season hasn’t been preferrred, so that may have been actually helpful too. All in all, a stable day for Gyokeres who unveiled his regular celebration, but in addition confirmed off a brand new one in response to on-line chatter about his Previous Trafford efficiency final week.

Timber added the fourth 10 minutes into the second half, poking residence from shut vary when Leeds did not take care of one other glorious Rice nook supply. What a day for the Dutchman, by the way in which. It’s a bit mad to say a participant who acquired two targets and an help was most likely overshadowed by a few others – one in all whom didn’t even play – however he will be more than happy together with his efficiency and contribution.

So, with half an hour to go and the sport primarily received, Arteta made a triple change, within the course of handing debuts to Cristhian Mosquera, who got here on at right-back and did nicely, and likewise 15 12 months previous Max Dowman who’s now our second youngest participant ever after Ethan Nwaneri. I believe there is likely to be a few senior gamers on that bench smarting that they didn’t get on, however the context was good for bringing on such a younger participant, and I’m glad that’s what the supervisor did. It raised the joy ranges in a recreation which everybody knew was performed and dusted, and the need for him to supply one thing was palpable.

There have been a few photographs, one glorious run down the suitable which noticed the Leeds full-back booked (a bit harshly, to be honest) as he took Dowman down. After which in damage time, Dowman’s trickery contained in the field noticed him fouled, and the ref pointed to the spot. I don’t actually perceive any criticism of the participant right here, and I believe any grown-up pundit getting into on a 15 12 months previous actually wants to present their head a wobble this morning. You’re targetting a literal youngster when you could possibly concentrate on all of the positives in his efficiency which, by the way in which, consists of the ability he confirmed that led to the penalty being awarded.

Gyokeres slammed it residence, 5-0, a clear sheet, and hundreds to love about our first residence recreation of the season. You’ll be able to see we’re nonetheless a piece in progress, not helped by the actual fact we maintain dropping essential gamers to damage too, however you’ll be able to’t argue with what we produced on the pitch yesterday. Afterwards, Arteta mentioned:

It’s precisely how we needed to begin the primary recreation, we received in a extremely convincing manner. You may sense one thing, particularly within the ambiance earlier than the match. I believe we now have to be very happy with the way in which we performed, the way in which we dominated the sport, not conceding any photographs virtually, and the clear sheet.

On high of that, numerous good moments. Viktor scoring his first two targets for the membership, I’m thrilled and delighted for Jurrien after that very long time after injuring his ankle and the hours that he’s put in with all of the physios and the medical division to attain two targets at Emirates Stadium, very particular. Mosquera making his debut as nicely for the membership, after which one of many highlights, with none query of a doubt, Max coming in at 15 and making his debut and profitable a penalty. So, very proud.

As I mentioned, the accidents forged a shadow, however that’s why we did what we did within the switch market this summer time. If Saka is out for some time, then we now have Madueke to play on his most popular aspect – and I believe he was more practical there. I believe it flew underneath the radar a bit yesterday with all the pieces else that was occurring, however I actually appreciated Nwaneri’s efficiency when he changed Odegaard. It wasn’t spectacular, but it surely was extremely tidy and environment friendly by way of how we performed. Within the 60 minutes or so he was on the pitch, he didn’t misplace a single cross, and in what’s a comparatively new function for him on this crew (having performed totally on the suitable final season), he regarded very assured.

All in all although, a great way to kick off the house season. I believe we will play higher, however when you’re saying that after you’ve received 5-0, you then’re most likely in fairly first rate form general. Let’s see how the week performs out with accidents, however we’ve acquired the factors on the board earlier than we face Liverpool subsequent weekend, they usually have what will be an intense recreation at Newcastle tomorrow evening to cope with.

Proper, I’ll go away it there for now. You’ll be able to be a part of myself and James tomorrow for an Arsecast Additional, have a terrific Sunday – and be careful for some extra Eze stuff on the official website in some unspecified time in the future right this moment!