Arsenal produced an outstanding performance in their first Emirates Cup friendly, as they thrashed German champions Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s side were rampant in the first half, and were also able to make 10 changes throughout the game to give everyone a run out.
Oleksandr Zinchenko opened the scoring with a superb strike into the bottom corner, and Leandro Trossard doubled the lead a minute later after a fine move which started with him winning a loose ball.
Gabriel Jesus then powered home an outstanding finish to make it 3-0 by half-time. Kai Havertz added a fourth by seizing on an error, before Adam Hlozek chipped David Raya to pull one back for the visitors.
Here are the five lessons we have taken from the game.
Kai Havertz is now an option in midfield
Some Arsenal fans were frustrated at the starting lineup, as Kai Havertz was moved back into midfield, having previously struggled in the position before thriving as a striker.
However, he was outstanding with a goal and two assists against his former side, and it is now clear that in some games, Arteta is still willing to use him in a midfield role.
Gabriel Jesus is back to his best
Jesus was the best player on the pitch in the first half, and was absolutely electric from the very first minute as he pressed Leverkusen into panic.
His goal was superbly taken, as he dribbled from his own half past two defenders and rifled into the bottom corner.
After a full pre-season, he looks back to his best after a year of injury struggles, and the prospect of starting the season with Jesus firing on all cylinders is a mouthwatering one.
Oleksandr Zinchenko does have a place in the Arsenal squad
Zinchenko’s goal was fantastic, and he delivered a superb performance at left-back after a season of struggle.
Arsenal fans have now called for him to be played in midfield, but after a summer in which he was linked with a move away, he has shown that he has the quality to be an asset for Arteta, whether in the starting XI or on the bench, and can offer a lot going forward.
New shirt number, new Zinchenko?
Myles Lewis-Skelly is ready for more first-team action
17-year-old sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly came on at half-time for Zinchenko, slotting into an inverted left-back position, and he looked at ease in the first-team at the Emirates.
Whilst he is still young, the teenager showed that he has the composure and intelligence of a senior professional, and still impressed on the ball against a top-quality side.
Lewis-Skelly showed that he is ready to make his senior debut this season, and even if he is eased in, he will be eyeing up the Carabao Cup for potential minutes.
Leandro Trossard answers his critics
Despite a strong goalscoring campaign last season, Leandro Trossard earned criticism for his performances on the left-wing, with his lack of speed showing.
However, the Belgian recovered from his disappointing Euro 2024 campaign to deliver a superb performance against Leverkusen. Trossard pressed well, dribbled superbly and forced errors from the visitors, which then saw him slot home for the second goal.
If he can continue this form, Gabriel Martinelli will find it tough to get back into the side.
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