Arsenal ease past Bundesliga champs
Mikel Arteta's side continue their preparations for the new season with a resounding victory over Xabi Alonso's double winners
Hello, happy Thursday!
Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates was as resounding as it was satisfying.
Yes, you could argue Xabi Alonso’s side are not as advanced as the Gunners in terms of their pre-season work (the Bundesliga doesn’t start until August 23, a week later than the Premier League), and yes, you could make a case that some of Leverkusen’s stellar team (understandably to be fair) still haven’t fully shaken off the sense of victory from last season’s incredible achievements, that saw the team clinch the German league and cup double.
However, in the important early stages of yesterday’s match - when it was still viewed by both sides as an even contest to be won - an ominously rampant Arsenal side looked hungry.
Their passing and movement, on and off the ball was superb, as was their pressing, right from the top, that put the visitors under pressure from the first whistle.
Not to mention, wave after wave of attacking football that put an excellent backline under severe pressure from the get go. It was wonderful to watch. (See the bottom of this post for my official Morning Star match report from the Emirates press box, as well as a bit of fun with my Gooner Fanzine player ratings.)
No wonder Xabi Alonso was so gracious in his post-match presser that I was present for after the match, as the highly-rated, articulate Basque boss praised his old pal Arteta.
My view of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta during his post-match press conference. CREDIT: @laythy29
Speaking of post-match press conferences, I also attended Mikel Arteta’s post-match press conference in the Emirates media room - something I plan to do more of next season, not to mention getting over to London Colney, or the Sobha Realty Training Centre to call it by its sponsors’ name now - and despite the victory, it was quite reassuring to note the Arsenal boss had a serious, steely look about him.
By that I mean, sometimes in pre-season matches you get managers who smile after victories, knowing full well that their invariably pyrrhic triumphs don’t actually mean that much in the scheme of things, uncertain precursors to the main event, for when the whistle finally blows for the first league game of the season.
Yet, despite a full and comprehensively detailed pre-season so far this summer already, tailored to fit the purposely different arrival times, and varying fitness levels, from his returning troops from Euro 2024 and Copa America, there was nothing but a sense of ‘the hard work starts now’.
Sitting on plush burgundy red seats yards from Arteta, on Wednesday evening, I observed the boss, clad in a causal grey long sleeve top and black slacks, reflecting, saying: “We can take a lot of positives from the game as well as the result.
“The way we performed, there were lots of positive aspects, collectively and individually.
“I think we’ll take a lot from it. A lot of things to learn from it as well. I think we can improve.”
An Arsenal boss never satisfied, who insists his already excellent team can improve? Sounds good to me. See you at the Emirates on Sunday for hopefully more of the season.
My view of Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, who was extremely complimentary about his old friend Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side. CREDIT: @laythy29
PS:
Keep an eye out for my exclusive interview with Jack Wilshere after we had a good chat after the Arsenal U18s match at Hendon on Tuesday.
And, as the cesspit that is Twitter continues to burn, for the first time since I joined Threads on the day it launched last year, there has been genuine traction regarding my posts (and so many others) from Arsenal on Wednesday.
So if you’re on Threads - or even thinking about joining, I’d heartily suggest you do, as it’s a far kinder, far less abrasive environment -I can confirm that it’s now a site that caters for Arsenal coverage.
I’m @laythy29 if you want to catch up on Threads - which finally appears well set to eventually assume Twitter’s mantle after that cretinous, neo-capitalist, proto-fascist, meglomaniac utterly ruined it what used to be an essential - and sometimes fun - site.
DAILY LIST
I - Continue to harry, hassle and generally annoy people in attempting to get them to take out a subscription to help keep the Gooner Fanzine going
II - Continue to avoid eating chocolate (a penance that seems to be getting far more difficult, not easier…) get to the gym, and take the dog for a long walk, before popping over to see my dear old mum tonight and bore her about beating Leverkusen.
III - Continue to pull together the new issue of the Gooner Fanzine
IV - Finally start work on my Euro 2024 book. Alas, if you know me, you’ll know that, as a scatterbrain, I am a 5th dan master of task avoidance when required…
….
My Morning Star newspaper match report from the Emirates press box
Arsenal 4–1 Bayer Leverkusen:
Arsenal eased past the Bundesliga champions during an effortless pre-season friendly on Wednesday evening.
While former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka received a hearty – and thoroughly deserved – pre-match welcome on his return to North London after sterling service to the club, the Gunners underlined their intent for the forthcoming 2024-25 season by demolishing their illustrious visitors.
Excellent early goals by Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard were supplemented by Gabriel Jesus’ superb strike eight minutes before the interval to underline Arsenal’s dominance against the German double winners.
Kai Havertz netted in the second half, as nine substitutes lessened the intensity of the match, prior to Leverkusen’s Adam Hlozek grabbing a late consolation, which also had the benefit of halting an infernal Mexican wave.
Speaking after the match, Arteta said: “We can take a lot of positives from the game, collectively and individually…it was a really good test against a really good team and coach.”
Boss Arteta selected a strong starting XI to face his old friend Xabi Alonso - fresh from leading Leverkusen to an unprecedented league and cup double last term - which included Gunners captain Martin Odegaard, as well as Euro 2024 winner, David Raya. France’s imperious centre-back William Saliba, Belgium’s Trossard, and Germany’s Kai Havertz were also included. Along with the fully refreshed Ben White after a summer away from Three Lions duty, following his spat with Gareth Southgate’s No2 Steve Holland during the 2022 World Cup.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka – who only returned to Gunners duty last week, missing the club’s US tour due to their exertions on England service – came on from the bench with the game won. Supporters also saw talented youngsters who excelled Stateside this summer, including Ethan Nwaneri, Ayden Heaven and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
However, it was Zinchenko - who had an underwhelming Euro finals as his Ukraine side made an early exit – who put the Gunners ahead after only seven minutes.
The former Manchester City defender firing home past Leverkusen keeper Matej Kovar to put the Gunners 1-0 up, before embarking on a joyous run that the ecstatic home support lapped up.
With the crowd still celebrating, Trossard made it 2-0 a minute later. The Belgium international showing wonderfully quick feet while executing a marvellous turn to send half the Leverkusen defence in the direction of the No19 bus to Highbury and Islington.
To emphasise Arsenal dominance, Jesus made it 3-0 on 38 minutes. The Brazil forward netting a superb goal after picking up the ball in his own half, prior to embarking on a driving run that saw him drill home a low shot past the increasingly beleaguered Kovar and in the Leverkusen net.
With the match essentially over, Arteta made nine changes during the second half which saw England pair Rice and Saka emerge, along with Jakub Kiwior and solid young prospect Lewis-Skelly. With Jesus, Vieira, Zinchenko and Saliba all making way at half time.
Havertz emphasised Arsenal’s dominance by slotting home to make it 4-0 before Hlozek beat Raya with a late consolation for 4-1.
Reflecting after the match, Alonso said the emphatic defeat was “a wake-up call for a new season. We have to forget about last season now,” adding he thought Arsenal were a great club with a real chance to ‘challenge’ for the Premier League title.
Next up is Lyon on Sunday before the Gunners start their hunt for a first title in 23 long years.
………..
My Arsenal Player Ratings:
David Raya: 7.5/10 - Good to see the Euro 2024 winner back in Arsenal colours after his extended break due to his commitments in Germany with his victorious Spain squad
Ben White: 8/10 - Looks sharp and ready to go after a restful summer. Will Three Lions interim boss Lee Carsley forget about Steve Holland and select England’s best right back for the tough clash in Ireland in early September? After having White free during the international breaks for so long I almost hope not to keep him fresh during could be a momentous season for the Gunners. Replaced by Josh Nichols
Gabriel: 8/10 - Put in a shift at the heart of the Gunners backline but in truth was rarely troubled before being replaced for talented young defender Ayden Heaven
William Saliba: 8/10 - A slight surprise Arsenal’s Rolls Royce of a centre-back has returned already given France reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2024. No matter, the world class defender is ready for a massive season ahead. Replaced by Jakub Kiwior at half time with the job already done
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 8/10 - Scored an absolute cracker of a goal after only seven minutes to send the Emirates into early raptures. A joyful moment for the Ukraine defender. After a patchy 18 months let’s hope there are plenty more this coming term. Switched at the break for youngster Lewis-Skelly
Jorginho: 7.5/10 - Solid and reliable but in truth he wasn’t’ much needed against the underwhelming Germans who are just embarking on their pre-season
Martin Odegaard: 8/10 - Such vision, such creativity, such flair from Arsenal’s captain makes supporters purr with delight. The former precocious youngster was replaced by a current one in Ethan Nwaneri midway through the second half
Gabriel Jesus: 8/10 - Scored a superb goal eight minutes before the interval after picking the ball up in his own half and embarking on a driving run that saw the Brazil forward drill a low shot that flew past Leverkusen keeper Kovar to make it 3-0. Here’s hoping to many more strikes of that calibre from the attacker. Replaced by Rice at the break
Fabio Vieira: 7/10 - Not as influential as his talents suggest but will benefit from the run-out as he is sure to be called upon as a squad player during what is expected to be a busy season. Switched for Saka during half time
Leandro Trossard: 8/10 - Showed wonderfully quick feet to score the second - not to mention executing a marvellous turn to send half the Leverkusen defence in the direction of the No19 bus to Highbury and Islington. Replaced late on by Gabi Martinelli
Kai Havertz: 7.5/10 - Eased his way back into proceedings during the US tour after Germany exited the Euros at the quarter-final stage. Scored in the second half to make it 4-0 before being replaced by Eddie Nketiah
Substitutes:
Declan Rice: 7/10 - Came on for Jesus at the break
Bukayo Saka: 7/10 - Replaced Vieria during the interval as the attacker finds his way back to full match fitness after a gruelling summer on England duty
Jakub Kiwior: 7/10 - On for Saliba at half time
Myles Lewis-Skelly: 7/10 - Replaced Zinchenko during the interval
Ethan Nwaneri: 7/10 - On for Odegaard
Thomas Partey: 6.5/10 - Replaced Jorginho
Eddie Nketiah: 6.5/10 - Came on for Havertz. Not expected to be at Arsenal come 11pm on August 30
Josh Nicols: 7/10 - Came on for White
Gabi Martinelli: 7/10 - On for Trossard late on
