Gabriel Jesus scored a superb solo goal as Arsenal stepped up their preparations for the new campaign with an impressive 4-1 win over Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Jesus, reinvigorated following an injury-hit campaign last term, pounced on a poor Leverkusen throw deep in Arsenal territory in the first half before carrying the ball forward and dispatching a low finish from outside the box to delight the Emirates Stadium crowd.
The rampant hosts were already two goals up at that point, with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard having finished smartly from Kai Havertz passes in the space of a minute early on.
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Mikel Arteta said he didn’t want to take any risks with Jurrien Timber or Riccardo Calafiori in Arsenal’s friendly against Bayer Leverkusen
Havertz moved up front after Jesus was substituted at half-time and the German scored Arsenal’s fourth goal when Bukayo Saka’s cut-back bounced into his path off Leverkusen’s Granit Xhaka, who received a standing ovation on his return to north London.
Leverkusen scored a consolation goal through substitute Adam Hlozek but it did not dampen the spirits of the home fans, with Declan Rice given his first outing of pre-season as a second-half substitute as well as fellow Euro 2024 finalist Saka. William Saliba was given the first half.
Arsenal fans were denied a chance to see new signing Riccardo Calafiori, who was not in the squad, but Mikel Arteta used the occasion to give more minutes to some of the youngsters who featured during the club’s US tour, with Miles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Ayden Heaven and Josh Nichols appearing as substitutes.
Arsenal round off their pre-season campaign with a second Emirates Cup game against Lyon on Sunday before commencing their Premier League season at home to Wolves on Saturday August 17 at 3pm.
Jesus impressing Arteta with ‘different energy’
There was a distinctly pre-season feel to the atmosphere inside the ground in the opening exchanges but noise levels increased every time the ball entered the orbit of Jesus.
The Brazilian, leading the line as he has throughout Arsenal’s pre-season campaign, was a bundle of energy in and out of possession, making runs, snapping into challenges and looking a lot more like the player Arsenal bought from Manchester City back in 2022.
He appears to have benefitted from an uninterrupted off-season after a string of injury setbacks over the course of the last campaign impacted his performances. But Arteta was eager to point out afterwards that his improvement is down to his own application.
Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring the third goal
“The first feeling when I saw him at the end of the season was something different,” said Arteta in his press conference.
“I could feel it. His energy was different. His appearance, his movement was different. And he really wanted it.”
The challenge for him now, according to Arteta, is to transfer his pre-season form into the campaign itself.
“Now it’s about finding that consistency, and doing it in any context, against any opponent, any formation, every day, every three days, for 90 minutes, for 30 minutes, for 70 minutes, whatever you can produce in those circumstances.”
Zinchenko shines in absence of Calafiori, Timber
Arteta allayed any concerns over Calafiori’s absence from the squad afterwards, insisting Arsenal are merely managing him as he adapts to his new surroundings and adding that the £42m signing is likely to play some part in Sunday’s game against Lyon.
He also explained that Jurrien Timber was absent due to foot pain linked to his rehabilitation from an ACL injury. “He has had a bit of a bad foot the last few days,” said Arteta. “After he has been away a lot, we didn’t want to take any risks with him.”
Kai Havertz dispatches Arsenal’s fourth goal
In the absence of that pair, it was Zinchenko who started at left-back and the former Manchester City defender, who has swapped from the No 35 shirt to No 17, looked eager to provide a reminder of his quality having lost his place in the side last season.
His opening goal was superbly taken as he swept home Havertz’s cut-back first-time following a clever dummy by Trossard and that trio continued to combine effectively in the first half, ensuring Arsenal carried an increased threat on their left flank.
“He knows the quality that he has and he knows the things he needs to improve,” Arteta said of Zinchenko afterwards, before praising his application. “He is another who is very at it. You can see his body language that there is something there.”
Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly earn praise
Arteta was also asked whether he sees Arsenal youngsters Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly, both 17, playing first-team roles next season.
Ethan Nwaneri was a second-half substitute at the Emirates Stadium
“If they continue as they are doing now, it will make no difference whether they come from the academy or are signed from Argentina, Germany or Italy,” he said.
“They are showing the quality they have, and especially the personality they have to play at this level. If they deserve minutes, they will get minutes.”
Arsenal’s pre-season schedule: Lyon next
July 20: Arsenal 2-0 Leyton Orient
July 25: Arsenal 1-1 Bournemouth
July 28: Arsenal 2-1 Man Utd
August 1: Arsenal 1-2 Liverpool
August 7: Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen
August 11: Arsenal vs Lyon, Emirates Stadium, kick-off 2pm
Arsenal’s 2024/25 fixtures
Arsenal will start their 2024/25 Premier League season at home to Wolves on Saturday August 17.
The Gunners then face a trip to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa and a home clash with Brighton before visiting Tottenham on September 14 for the first north London derby of the season. The return fixture with Spurs at the Emirates is on January 14.
Mikel Arteta’s side’s first game with last season’s title rivals and champions Manchester City comes within the first five games of the campaign on September 21 at the Etihad, with the reverse fixture at the Emirates on February 1.
Over Christmas, the Gunners are at home to newly-promoted Ipswich on Boxing Day before travelling across London to face Brentford on December 29. In March, the Gunners face a trip to Man Utd before a home game against Chelsea.
The Gunners end the season away at Southampton on May 25, after visiting Anfield on May 10 and hosting Newcastle for their final home game on May 18.
