Arsenal thrashed Leeds 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening as they climbed above Tottenham to end the evening at the Premier League summit. The Gunners were in imperious form in front of their own fans as they played their opponents off the pitch from start to finish.
Mikel Arteta’s side were frustrated in the early stages of the match but eventually went ahead 11 minutes before half time as Jurrien Timber headed in a Declan Rice corner. Bukayo Saka then doubled his side’s advantage at the end of the first half, with summer signing Viktor Gyokeres bagging his first Premier League goal just after the break. Timber stabbed in his second goal of the evening 11 minutes into the second half, with the north London giants ultimately cruising to victory as Gyokeres added his second and his side’s fifth from the penalty spot at the death. The match was notable for the debut of 15-year-old Max Dowman, with new signing Eberechi Eze also being introduced to fans ahead of kick-off. And Express Sport provides you with the Arsenal player ratings.
Arsenal player ratings (4-3-3)
David Raya: 8
Did well to keep out a header from Pascal Struijk midway through the first half with the game still goalless. Was a straightforward evening for him aside from that stop.
Jurrien Timber: 9
Returned to the starting line-up, with Ben White dropping out through injury, and dominated his opponents down the right wing as he linked up with Saka. Headed in from Rice’s corner and then added his second from another corner as the Gunners continued their dominance from set-pieces.
William Saliba: 8
Made an absolute nuisance of himself in the six-yard box whenever Arsenal had corners and looked assured at the other end of the pitch.
Gabriel: 7
Looked solid as he won tackles and blocked shots. Was Arsenal’s main goalscoring threat from set-pieces last season but Timber may have stolen his thunder.
Pushed forward and came inside as he looked to join in with the Arsenal attack. Was clearly given the licence to get forward and Myles Lewis-Skelly may struggle to win his place back.
Martin Odegaard: 6
Attempted to get his team moving in the right direction early on but often went for the safe option rather than looking for the killer pass. Attempted to carry on after suffering an arm injury but was eventually forced off just before the break.
Martin Zubimendi: 9
Was full of energy and elegance as he raced around the pitch and tidied things up in the centre of the park. Reads the game so well and will make a big impact this season.
Declan Rice: 9
Has one of the best deliveries in the Premier League and whipped in the corners for Arsenal’s two set-piece goals. Imperious presence in the Gunners midfield and will be key to their title challenge once again.
Bukayo Saka: 8
Attacked at will and illustrated his class in stoppage time as he beat Lucas Perri from a tight angle following a flowing move from the Gunners. But just when his side were getting going in the early stages of the second half he, too, was forced off with an injury.
Noni Madueke: 8
Made a couple of early runs and whipped in a cross as he started quickly. Looked threatening in attack as he ran at the Leeds defence when given the opportunity.
Viktor Gyokeres: 8
Offered Arsenal a physical presence up front after his underwhelming display against Manchester United last weekend. Took a while for him to get into the game but sparked into life at the start of the second half as he worked some space to fire in his first goal of the season. Held his nerve from 12 yards in stoppage time at the end of the match.
Substitutes
Ethan Nwaneri: 6
Came on to replace Odegaard but was relatively quiet as some of his other team-mates hogged the headlines.
Leandro Trossard: 7
Was introduced in place of Saka but didn’t have the same attacking threat.
Max Dowman: 8
Was handed his Arsenal first-team debut at the age of 15 years and 235 days. Burst into the Leeds penalty area at one stage and flashed an effort at goal. Won the Arsenal penalty in stoppage time at the end of the match and clearly has a huge future in the game.
Myles Lewis-Skelly: 6
Was given a run out midway through the second half but may be frustrated at present after also failing to start last time out at Old Trafford.
Cristhian Mosquera: 6
Was brought on for Timber at the same time as Dowman and Lewis-Skelly were introduced to the action and slotted in well.
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