Arsenal returned to winning ways in pre-season in emphatic style with the help of three goals in the first 38 minutes of a 4-1 win over reigning German champions Bayer Leverkusen at Emirates Stadium.
Leverkusen’s only defeat of last season was in the Uefa Europa League final to Atalanta and Xabi Alonso’s side had been unbeaten in two matches in their build-up to their title defence, only to fall 2-0 behind after nine minutes.
Oleksandr Zinchenko completed a slick team move to open the scoring in the eighth minute before Leandro Trossard showed clever footwork to slot in a minute later.
A polished pre-season performance 💫 pic.twitter.com/UCHtB47jq1
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 7, 2024
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Leverkusen vs Arsenal result: Jesus scores
Gabriel Jesus, who has not scored a competitive goal since January, struck from long range to make it 3-0 at the break in a procession for the side hoping to overhaul Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, having pushed the dominant team in English football close in each of the past two seasons.
Kai Havertz’s 21 direct goal involvements in 2023-24 was the most of any Arsenal player aside from Bukayo Saka and the Germany forward tapped in from close range 25 minutes from time for his second goal in two games after finding the net in the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in Philadelphia on Thursday.
Czechia midfielder Adam Hlozek replied for Leverkusen 15 minutes from time, clipping in from inside the penalty area as part of a passage of play which began inside the visitors’ box.
Great to see you, Granit 🫶 pic.twitter.com/nPZ5j9z8pZ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 7, 2024
Rice, Saka feature for Arsenal
Arsenal’s comprehensive advantage may have given Mikel Arteta more impetus to introduce two of his England internationals, Declan Rice and Saka, at half-time.
Both players may need more time than most to recover from their tireless exertions at Uefa Euro 2024, where Rice covered by far the most distance of any player at the tournament.
Saka, though, needed little more than 20 minutes to set up a goal, supplying Havertz via a touch from former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka.
Goalkeeper David Raya, whose Spain team beat England in the Euro final, and William Saliba, who impressed for France at the finals, were also given their first minutes of pre-season.
Arsenal’s remaining friendly is at home to Lyon, who finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season, on Sunday (2pm BST).
Their Premier League campaign starts against opponents they beat twice last season when Wolves are their visitors on August 17 (3pm).
