Arsenal are set to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Emirates Cup on Wednesday evening, follow here for all the latest.
With just a week and a half until the season begins, Mikel Arteta’s side do not have long to get themselves up to full speed after a mixed bag of results on their pre-season tour in the USA.
Arsenal will face Leverkusen and Lyon in the Emirates Cup, which will see former players Granit Xhaka and Ainsley Maitland-Niles return, and Arteta will hope for positive results.
Arsenal drew with Bournemouth, before beating Manchester United and losing to Liverpool in pre-season so far, and ahead of their season opener against Wolves next week, they will hope to hit top form.
Follow along below for all the latest build-up, game updates, team news and match scores which we will update throughout the evening and into Thursday morning.
Did Leandro Trossard earn Arsenal spot?
Trossard was sensational against Leverkusen, and Arteta has now hinted that he could keep his place in the Arsenal side.
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Arteta calls for Zinchenko improvement
Arteta was impressed with Zinchenko against Leverkusen, but he has now explained why he will not move him to a midfield role.
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Arteta impressed by Myles Lewis-Skelly
Youngster Lewis-Skelly came on for Zinchenko at half-time, and Arteta was clearly delighted with his performance.
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Kai Havertz masterclass
Kai Havertz’s performance has not gone unnoticed, and the German proved that he could be an incredible asset over the course of the season.
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Granit Xhaka embraces Arsenal squad at full time
Granit Xhaka was a big focus today on his Emirates return, and it was interesting seeing him embrace the Arsenal players at full-time.
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Why Riccardo Calafiori was missing
Mikel Arteta has now explained why new signing Riccardo Calafiori was absent from the squad against Leverkusen.
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What we learned from Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen
There was plenty to be learned as Arsenal returned to North London in style ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
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Arsenal fans delighted with Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus was outstanding, and Arsenal fans were quick to notice that he now looks back to his best.
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Arsenal fans laugh off Xhaka comments
Granit Xhaka received a very positive reception on his return to the Emirates, despite recent comments over how his move to Leverkusen felt like two steps forward in his career.
There is still positivity between Xhaka and the Arsenal fanbase, but some have pointed out his recent words in the wake of a heavy defeat for his side.
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Oleksandr Zinchenko got on the scoresheet
Zinchenko silenced some of his critics as he scored an outstanding goal, but Arsenal fans have now called for Mikel Arteta to make a key change with him.
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Arsenal player ratings vs Bayer Leverkusen
Plenty of impressive performers, but who was your player of the match?
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FULL TIME: ARSENAL 4-1 BAYER LEVERKUSEN
A brilliant performance from Arsenal. Goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus in the first half gave the home side a convincing lead, before Kai Havertz scored a fourth. Adam Hlozek pulled one back for the visitors.
[Link]The Arsenal XI currently on the pitch
After all the substitutions, this is the Arsenal team currently on the pitch, and the XI which will end the game.
Raya; Nichols, Kiwior, Heaven, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Nwaneri, Rice; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
Granit Xhaka comes off
An excellent reception from the home crowd as Granit Xhaka is substituted. How times change.
[Link]Goal: Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen
Goal for Leverkusen. Tella beats Lewis-Skelly again to find himself in space, and he crosses to Adam Hlozek, who takes a touch before chipping David Raya superbly.
[Link]More Arsenal substitutions
Gabriel Magalhaes off, Ayden Heaven on
Ben White off, Josh Nichols on
Kai Havertz off, Eddie Nketiah on
[Link]GOAL ARSENAL 4-0 BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Kai Havertz scores against his old club! Nwaneri plays the ball to Saka, who crosses in. The Leverkusen defender has a nightmare and Havertz pounces on a loose ball to finish.
[Link]Arsenal substitutions
Thomas Partey comes on for Jorginho, and Ethan Nwaneri comes on for Martin Odegaard in the 62nd minute.
[Link]Chance for Leverkusen
Leverkusen cut through with a counterattack and Tella finds himself in behind Lewis-Skelly, but the winger puts his shot well wide.
[Link]A quieter second half
10 minutes into the second half, Arsenal have had a few drives into space but no real chances for either team.
[Link]Half-time substitutions for Arsenal
Euro 2024 finalists Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have come on at half-time, as well as Jakub Kiwior and Myles Lewis-Skelly, with Mikel Arteta made four changes at the interval.
Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira and William Saliba have come off at half-time.
[Link]Nathan Tella comes on for Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen have made just one change at half-time, as former Hale End graduate comes on.
Here’s what you need to know about him:
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HALF TIME: ARSENAL 3-0 BAYER LEVERKUSEN
A sensational first-half puts Arsenal into a comfortable lead. Arsenal scored two in two minutes through Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard, before Gabriel Jesus added a third.
[Link]GOAL ARSENAL 3-0 BAYER LEVERKUSEN
WHAT A GOAL FROM GABRIEL JESUS! The Brazilian carries the ball into the Leverkusen half, drives into space beyond two defenders, and fires a superb long-range finish into the bottom left corner!
[Link]Zinchenko has a header saved
An Arsenal corner is cleared to the edge of the box, and Zinchenko tried to power a header to the far corner, which Kovar caught. Opportunistic effort, but clever thinking.
[Link]Huge applause for Bukayo Saka
Sections of the Emirates crowd burst into loud cheers and applause as Bukayo Saka comes out to warm up on the touchline, appearing for the first time since he helped England reach the final of Euro 2024.
[Link]CHANCE!
Jesus drives forward on the ball, but the Leverkusen interception falls to Trossard. The Belgian is allowed to dribble towards goal before firing a daisy-cutter, which is tipped wide by Kovar.
[Link]More openings for Arsenal
Jesus finds himself in the left side of the box and driving forward, but his cross fails to find anyone. Trossard finds himself in a similar position a minute later, and Odegaard’s snapshot is sent behind for a corner.
[Link]Odegaard has a shot blocked
Trossard robs Kossounou and dribbles down the left, but his cross fails to find any of the Arsenal attackers who had burst through the middle. However, the ball deflected out to Martin Odegaard, who fired a fierce shot which was blocked by a Leverkusen defender.
[Link]Things have calmed down…
After the two quickfire goals, both teams have enjoyed spells of possession. Arsenal look sharp.
[Link]GOAL ARSENAL 2-0 BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Blink and you’ll miss it! Less than a minute after the first goal, Leandro Trossard pounces on a mistake, lays off to Gabriel Jesus, who passes to Havertz, who lays off back to Trossard to tap in to double the lead.
[Link]GOAL: ARSENAL 1-0 BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Brilliant goal from Oleksandr Zinchenko in the 8th minute! Martin Odegaard plays the ball through to Kai Havertz, who crosses to Zinchenko on the edge of the box. The left-back produced an outstanding finish to power the ball into the bottom corner!
[Link]Gabriel Jesus looks lively
Gabriel Jesus receives applause from the Arsenal fans after closing down goalkeeper Kovar to force the ball out, and maintaining pressure from the resulting throw-in.
[Link]Five-minute warning!
The teams are about to head out of the tunnel. Five minutes until kick-off!
[Link]Arsenal clarify Jakub Kiwior selection
Arsenal initially confirmed their lineup and bench without Jakub Kiwior, who has been linked with a move away.
However, the Poland International is indeed in the squad and on the bench.
Who will be in midfield and on the wings for Arsenal?
Arsenal’s lineup has opened up a range of possibilities. Kai Havertz could be upfront, with Gabriel Jesus on the right wing and Fabio Vieira in midfield, which would please most fans.
However, it appears that Jesus will be at number nine, with Havertz dropping into midfield, and Vieira on the right.
Here’s why there are concerns about this particular selection:
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Why Riccardo Calafiori is absent vs Leverkusen
Arsenal fans would have hoped to see new signing Riccardo Calafiori in the squad tonight, but he is not even on the bench.
Mikel Arteta recently hinted why he may not appear so soon…
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Bayer Leverkusen XI to face Arsenal
Kovar; Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie; Garcia, Xhaka, Adli; Frimpong, Wirtz, Terrier.
Granit Xhaka in the starting XI, Nathan Tella on the bench.
On the Arsenal bench this evening…
Ramsdale, Setford; Heaven, Lewis-Skelly, Nichols, Partey, Rice, Nelson, Nwaneri, Saka, Martinelli, Nketiah.
Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are both absent from the squad.
[Link]Arsenal XI vs Bayer Leverkusen
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Havertz, Odegaard; Vieira, Trossard, Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal’s relationship with Bayer Leverkusen
Arsenal star Kai Havertz made a name for himself at Bayer Leverkusen, and he is not the only player to have appeared for both clubs.
The two have a lot in common…
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Granit Xhaka to make Emirates return
The clash with Leverkusen will see former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka return to the Emirates for the first time since he left last year.
He still keeps in touch with a few old teammates…
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Emirates Cup memories…
The Emirates Cup is back, and the annual tournament has created some fond memories in the past.
One game in the 2014 edition was particularly iconic…
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How to watch Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen
For those not in attendance at the Emirates Stadium tonight, find out all the details on how to watch our clash with Leverkusen below.
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Oleksandr Zinchenko to come back in?
With Timber absent, Mikel Arteta may need to start Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back, despite a mixed performance against Liverpool.
Arsenal need to get him back to his best form.
Jurrien Timber to miss out vs Leverkusen
Arsenal have been handed a blow as it seems that Jurrien Timber will be absent with an injury problem.
Full details below:
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How we have predicted Arsenal to line up
Our predicted XI is here, although there is one significant change as Jurrien Timber is now expected to be absent.
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Welcome to our live coverage of Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen
Arsenal’s Emirates Cup clash with Bayer Leverkusen kicks off at the Emirates Stadium at 6pm UK time.
We will have all the latest coverage and build-up to the match so stay tuned.
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