Premier League
Arsenal 5 (Timber 34’, 56’; Saka 45’, Gyökeres 48’, pen 90')
Leeds United 0
Arsenal: Raya (GK), Saliba, Gabriel, Saka (Trossard 53’), Ødegaard (C) (Nwaneri 38’), Timber (Mosquera 64’), Gyökeres, Madueke (Dowman 64’), Calafiori (Lewis-Skelly 64’), Zubimendi, Rice. Subs not used: Kepa (GK), Martinelli, Kiwior, Merino.
Leeds: Perri (GK), Bogle (Byram 83’), Gudmundsson, Struijk (C), Rodon, James (Aaronson 66’), Piroe (Nmecha 58’), Stach, Tanaka (Longstaff 58’), Gnonto (Okafor 66’), Gruev. Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Bijol, Harrison, Bornauw.
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Booked: Bogle, Gudmundsson (Leeds)
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,110
Leeds United fell to a first defeat of the Premier League campaign after being beaten by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Daniel Farke made one enforced change to the starting lineup that had beaten Everton in the season opener, bringing in Ilia Gruev for the injured Ethan Ampadu. New signing Noah Okafor was named amongst the substitutes.
The hosts began the encounter enjoying sustained spells of possession as the Whites’ backline was forced to defend early on. Gunners’ skipper Martin Ødegaard tried his luck, dragging a low strike wide of the upright.
Keen to use pace on the break, a cross-field pass from Anton Stach then found the run of Daniel James down the right flank. Controlling the ball well, the Wales international cut inside before seeing a left-footed effort blocked by Gabriel Magalhães.
Pressure from Mikel Arteta’s men saw a chance present itself to summer signing Viktor Gyökeres though, on the turn, the former Sporting striker was unable to find the target.
With 20 minutes on the clock, United went desperately close to taking the lead in the capital. Stach’s whipped delivery was met by the leap of Pascal Struijk who powered a header towards goal, forcing Arsenal keeper David Raya into a sublime acrobatic save to claw the ball away.
Just after the half-hour mark, the home side did find the opener through Jurriën Timber who glanced a Declan Rice set-piece into the far corner from close range.
Moments before the half-time whistle sounded, England international Bukayo Saka doubled the Gunners’ advantage after an incisive break down the right and powerful strike.
HALF TIME: Arsenal 2-0 Leeds United
Farke’s side emerged for the second half unchanged at the Emirates and looking for a route back into the tie.
Within minutes however, that hope was extinguished as Gyökeres made it three with a low finish beyond Lucas Perri and into the bottom corner.
Another goal arrived for Arsenal courtesy of Timber once more despite a VAR check before changes in personnel brought Lukas Nmecha and Sean Longstaff into the action.
Additional activity from the Whites’ dugout saw Okafor introduced for his Leeds United debut alongside Brenden Aaronson, replacing James and Willy Gnonto respectively.
The travelling contingent remained in fine voice throughout at the Emirates despite a late fifth courtesy of Gyökeres from the penalty spot, with Jarred Gillett bringing the encounter to a close shortly afterwards.
Farke’s men will be keen to return to winning ways next weekend when they welcome Newcastle United to Elland Road.
FULL TIME: Arsenal 5-0 Leeds United
