Arsenal returned to successful methods in pre-season in emphatic type with the assistance of three targets within the first 38 minutes of a 4-1 win over reigning German champions Bayer Leverkusen at Emirates Stadium.
Leverkusen’s solely defeat of final season was within the Uefa Europa League remaining to Atalanta and Xabi Alonso’s aspect had been unbeaten in two matches of their build-up to their title defence, solely to fall 2-0 behind after 9 minutes.
Oleksandr Zinchenko accomplished a slick workforce transfer to open the scoring within the eighth minute earlier than Leandro Trossard confirmed intelligent footwork to fit in a minute later.
A cultured pre-season efficiency 💫 pic.twitter.com/UCHtB47jq1
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 7, 2024
Leverkusen vs Arsenal end result: Jesus scores
Gabriel Jesus, who has not scored a aggressive objective since January, struck from lengthy vary to make it 3-0 on the break in a procession for the aspect hoping to overtake Manchester Metropolis on the prime of the Premier League, having pushed the dominant workforce in English soccer shut in every of the previous two seasons.
Kai Havertz’s 21 direct objective involvements in 2023-24 was essentially the most of any Arsenal participant except for Bukayo Saka and the Germany ahead tapped in from shut vary 25 minutes from time for his second objective in two video games after discovering the web within the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in Philadelphia on Thursday.
Czechia midfielder Adam Hlozek replied for Leverkusen quarter-hour from time, clipping in from contained in the penalty space as a part of a passage of play which started contained in the guests’ field.
Nice to see you, Granit 🫶 pic.twitter.com/nPZ5j9z8pZ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 7, 2024
Rice, Saka function for Arsenal
Arsenal’s complete benefit might have given Mikel Arteta extra impetus to introduce two of his England internationals, Declan Rice and Saka, at half-time.
Each gamers might have extra time than most to get better from their tireless exertions at Uefa Euro 2024, the place Rice lined by far essentially the most distance of any participant on the match.
Saka, although, wanted little greater than 20 minutes to arrange a objective, supplying Havertz through a contact from former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka.
Goalkeeper David Raya, whose Spain workforce beat England within the Euro remaining, and William Saliba, who impressed for France on the finals, had been additionally given their first minutes of pre-season.
Arsenal’s remaining pleasant is at residence to Lyon, who completed sixth in Ligue 1 final season, on Sunday (2pm BST).
Their Premier League marketing campaign begins in opposition to opponents they beat twice final season when Wolves are their guests on August 17 (3pm).
