Arsenal showcased their attacking prowess with a dominant 4-1 victory over German champions Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium, continuing their pre-season preparations.
It marked their first home game since the last season’s finale, and the Gunners wasted no time asserting their dominance.
The match saw Arsenal quickly take control, with Oleksandr Zinchenko opening the scoring. Leandro Trossard added to the lead, making it 2-0 early on.
Gabriel Jesus extended Arsenal’s advantage, seizing on a misplaced Leverkusen throw-in to score and make it 3-0 before halftime.
In the second half, Bukayo Saka, who came on as a substitute, made a significant impact by providing a clever cut-back that was inadvertently prodded by former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka towards Kai Havertz.
Havertz reacted swiftly to add the fourth goal for Arsenal. Bayer Leverkusen, who had finished the previous Bundesliga season unbeaten, managed a late consolation goal through Adam Hlozek.
Arsenal will have another chance to impress at home on Sunday as they face Lyon in the Emirates Cup.
In other pre-season action on Wednesday, Aston Villa secured a thrilling 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium, thanks to a late solo effort by Cameron Archer.
Villa had initially taken the lead through Jacob Ramsey’s well-worked goal, but Bilbao equalized with a strike from Yeray Alvarez.
Jaden Philogene restored Villa’s lead in the second half, only for Bilbao to level again with Gorka Guruzeta’s smart finish. Archer’s decisive solo run and finish ensured Villa’s victory.
Villa will conclude their pre-season campaign against Borussia Dortmund at the German team’s Signal Iduna Park on Saturday.
