Arsenal contested their penultimate pre-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Arsenal hosted the reigning German champions, welcoming Granit Xhaka back to the Emirates Stadium in the process. Mikel Arteta also came up against his childhood friend Xabi Alonso, who was in the opposition dugout.
Arteta named a strong starting XI for this match, with the start of the new Premier League campaign now a little over a week away. However, there were some notable names left out.
New signing Riccardo Calafiori did not make the matchday squad, whilst Jurrien Timber was sidelined with an injury. Meanwhile, having been afforded an extended summer break having featured in the latter stages of Euro 2024, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice started amongst the substitutes.
The Gunners started well, with a quick-fire double putting Arteta’s men in control within 10 minutes, as Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard both applied the finishing touch to slick team moves.
After a solo run, Gabriel Jesus added a third from range before half-time. After the break, Kai Havertz tapped in a fourth, before the visitors pulled one back.
Arsenal player ratings v Bayer Leverkusen
David Raya – 7
Straight back into the starting XI after winning Euro 2024 with Spain and largely untroubled in North London. Could do nothing about the goal.
Ben White – 6
Looked comfortable, but didn’t get forward with his usual verve.
William Saliba – 7
William Saliba has only been back at the club for a matter of days but looked like he’d never left.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
Looked immediately comfortable back alongside Saliba, and made a couple of eye-catching challenges.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7
Zinchenko wore his new No. 17 shirt for the first time, and christened it in style with a sharp strike from outside the area early on. On the ball he was excellent, but he was clearly targeted by Bayer Leverkusen as the opening period wore on. Taken off at the break.
Jorginho – 6
A solid but unspectacular outing from the Italian veteran who looked frustrated with himself when he was replaced by Thomas Partey around the hour mark.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Business as usual from the club captain who kept things ticking over and pulled strings in the final third.
Kai Havertz – 8
Arteta hinted Havertz may play in midfield this season, and the German did indeed slot in alongside Odegaard against his former club. He assisted both of the early goals and then moved up front after the break. The former Chelsea man was busy and effective throughout. Poked home from close range in the second half.
Fabio Vieira – 5
Fabio Vieira had a point to prove coming into this game, however he was a relatively peripheral figure before coming off at half-time.
Leandro Trossard – 8
Trossard caused problems for the visitors throughout, and showed remarkable awareness and dazzlingly quick feet in the penalty area as he grabbed his goal.
Gabriel Jesus – 9
Jesus has convinced Arteta he can still shine for Arsenal, and the Brazilian provided evidence for that assertion against Bayer Leverkusen. From the first whistle the striker was at the races, pressing intently, making challenges high up the pitch, and stretching the opposition defence with intelligent movement.
Substitutes
Bukayo Saka – 7
Looked sharp and energetic. His good work led to Havertz’s goal.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7
Might not have made it on the pitch had Timber or Calafiori been available, but it was still a show of faith from Arteta to bring the 17-year-old on in place of Zinchenko. Myles Lewis-Skelly has been learning the left-back role and gave a good account of himself, showing some flashes of real quality and composure.
Jakub Kiwior – 6
Was the most experienced defender in red and white left on the pitch for the last third of the game.
Declan Rice – 6
Vital game time for the England international who just eased his way through it.
Ethan Nwaneri – 7
Ethan Nwaneri increased the volume levels in the Emirates Stadium with a couple of darting runs. There is still so much more to come from the Hale End academy wonderkid.
Thomas Partey – 5
Arteta will have perhaps expected Partey to do more to help his side retain control after being brought on.
Ayden Heaven – 6
Ayden Heaven looked a little vulnerable at times, but that is to be expected for a 17-year-old centre-back. He can hold his head high.
Josh Nichols – 6
Another teenager who can be proud of himself.
Eddie Nketiah – 5
Unable to really get into the game, as Bayer Leverkusen established some control after a raft of Arsenal changes.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
Came on too late to have much of an impact but still important minutes for the Brazilian.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
