Viktor Gyokeres arrives as Bukayo Saka lost – Arsenal’s 3 winners and losers from Leeds win
Arsenal thrashed Leeds 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday (23 August) afternoon in a five-star performance from Mikel Arteta’s men.
Arsenal got off to a strong start as they dominated possession, and they soon found the breakthrough as Jurrien Timber headed home from Declan Rice’s corner just after the half-hour mark.
Timber was also involved as they doubled their lead at the end of the first-half, as he put the ball on a plate for Bukayo Saka to fire into the net past Lucas Perri.
Viktor Gyokeres opened his account for the Gunners with a neat finish just after the restart, and Timber grabbed soon grabbed an unlikely brace by prodding it in after a scramble in the penalty area.
Gyokeres put the gloss on the hosts’ 5-0 win as he fired home a penalty in added-time, and Arsenal comfortably walked away with all three points as Leeds were left reeling in North London.
Arsenal’s three winners
Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres was quiet in the first-half, but he silenced his doubters with an imperious showing in the second period as he went on a mazy run before dispatching with ease in the 48th minute for his first competitive goal for the Gunners.
The Swede won the most duels (6) of any player [Fotmob] in the game and then capped off his performance by sending Perri the wrong way late on to notch his first club and Premier League brace. He is clearly gearing up to try and send Arsenal to title glory this season.
Jurrien Timber
A fantastic performance. Timber was excellent all afternoon at right-back, and his three goal contributions were all born out of great instinct in the box and smart forward play.
He found the net twice with two neat finishes from corners, with the first a well-timed header and the second a simple poke home from close range, and his assist for Saka was simple but sumptuous as he deservedly went on to be handed the Player of the Match award by Sky Sports after the game.
Max Dowman
15-year-old Max Dowman was sent on for his senior competitive debut against the Whites in the 64th minute, and he soon set about causing trouble on the right-wing and won numerous fouls, including a late penalty.
The sky looks to be the limit for him as he shone throughout his cameo and was praised by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp as a “superstar for the future” and a “wonderful footballer,” while teammate Timber dubbed him as “incredible” and a “joy to watch.”
Arsenal’s three losers
Bukayo Saka
Saka netted his first goal of the new campaign in the first-half, but was largely anonymous otherwise and was also struck down by injury as he was unable to continue past the 53rd minute.
He looked to have pulled his hamstring as he went down and was soon replaced by Leandro Trossard, and Arteta confirmed Gunners supporters worst fears after the game by admitting that his issue was “significant.”
Martin Odegaard
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard did not do much wrong when he was on the pitch, but he loses out as his first home appearance of the new season was cut short in the 38th minute through injury.
The Norwegian playmaker trudged off just before half-time with what looked to be a shoulder issue, after initially trying to play through the pain, and his starting spot could now be at risk if he is out for an extended period and Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri continue to impress in his absence.
Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke failed to have the desired impact in his first competitive start for Arsenal since a summer move from Chelsea, and he was shown up by young Dowman, who came on and caused a lot more problems for Leeds left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson.
The England international was ineffective on the left-wing initially, and continued to struggle on the right after Saka went off, with no shots all game, just three touches in the Whites’ area and only one accurate cross of four attempted [Fotmob].