…Announces Eze before kick-off
Arsenal made a strong statement on Saturday with a 5-0 thrashing of Leeds United at the Emirates on Saturday.
The Gunners’ summer signing Viktor Gyokeres scored his first Arsenal goals in front of the Gunners at Emirates.
Arsenal also unveiled new £60m signing Eberechi Eze before kick-off.
Jurrien Timber scored the opening goal, heading in a trademark set piece before providing an assist for Bukayo Saka for Arsenal’s second.
Saka smashed a shot past Lucas Perri just before half-time but then the England winger was forced to limp off injured in the second half.
Striker Gyokeres, a £64m signing, jinked into the box to score Arsenal’s third with a low strike before Timber scored his second from another corner.
Mikel Arteta also handed a Premier League debut to 15-year-old Max Dowman, who replaced Noni Madueke, who had been making his first start for the Gunners
Jurrien Timber said keeping a clean sheet again is important. “A nice first home game of the season. You felt the energy from the crowd.
“I don’t think I have done that to be fair. God is good – all glory to him,” he said on scoring the brace against Leeds.
Dowman had an immediate impact, winning a penalty after being brought down by Anton Stach and Gyokeres slammed the ball into the bottom corner with almost the last kick of the game.
Dowman became the second youngest player to play for the club at 15 years and 234 days old, only behind his team-mate Ethan Nwaneri who made his debut at 15 years 181 days in September 2022 against Brentford.
“I think everyone can see the potential he has. Playing today against grown men. He is a joy to watch, for the crowd too he is a joy to watch. Hopefully, he will have many amazing years here,” Timber said about Max Dowman.
Arteta was forced to replace Martin Odegaard in the first half after his captain limped off with an injury on his 200th appearance for the Gunners.
There is also concern about Bukayo Saka picking on an injury.
Leeds were outclassed for most of the match and only really threatened the Arsenal goal once when Pascal Struijk had a header saved by Raya.
Leeds started their season with a win over Everton and that three points gave their supporters some hope coming to Arsenal.
However, Leeds had lost 10 of their past 12 Premier League away games against the Gunners and they never looked like improving that record in this match.
Arsenal are a completely different prospect from the Everton side they beat last Monday and apart from the header from Struijk, Daniel Farke’s side did not threaten the Gunners.
Leeds were able to give a debut to new £18m striker Noah Okafor and, along with Lukas Nmecha, they will hope that he can get the goals they need to break the trend of the newly promoted sides going straight back down to the Championship.
