Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen: thoughts and observations

Morning all.

The 4-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen (report with goals) last night was obviously a positive thing as we continue our preparations for the new season. I don’t think there’s any need to go through the entire game like we would a properly competitive one, but I have some thoughts all the same.

Familiarity

The line-up looked very last season. There was no Riccardo Calafiori, Arteta explained afterwards he’s being eased into action slowly, while Jurrien Timber has a foot problem. Beyond that, there were no other new signings because there haven’t been any new signings.

I understand part of the excitement of a new season is augmenting the squad and seeing the new guys pull on the shirt, but it’s also worth remembering the players we already have are pretty good, you know? They won a record number of games last time out, and while I’m as keen as anyone to bring in a couple of new faces, we’re building on top of a very solid foundation. That was certainly evident in what we did last night against very good opposition – who it has to be said are just a little behind in their own pre-season preparations.

Gabriel Jesus

It’s not a unique observation, but he has looked very sharp in this pre-season. His goal was excellent – even if the keeper could have done better – and this Jesus looks more like the one who excited us so much when he first arrived. Arteta said afterwards:

I said from day one, the first feeling when I saw him after talking to him at the end of the season is that he was something different. I could sense it. His energy was different, the way he looks is different, the way he’s moving is different. He really wants it. Now it’s about finding that consistency and doing it in any context, against any opponent, against any formation, any day, every three days, for 90 minutes, for 30 minutes, for 70 minutes. If you are produce in those circumstances? It looks good.

That’s the key, obviously, but as I’ve said before the obituaries for him were written a bit too soon. He has a lot to prove, with both fitness and finishing, but if he does that, we have a hell of a player on our hands.

Kai Havertz

With Jesus fit and up front, he’s moved back into the midfield (sort of), and those two seem to have a decent connection. There are still those moments where he looks like he’s going to fall over like Bambi on ice, I think that’s always going to be part of his game, but there’s no doubt now about his ability to contribute. His assist for Leandro Trossard’s goal was very smart, and he was in the box ready to pounce for the goal he scored himself.

Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri

Again, they were impressive. MLS slotted in at left-back, a complicated role to play in this team, and he looked strong and brave on that ball. That latter attribute can just as easily be applied to Nwaneri who wants to make something happen every time he’s in possession. Whether it’s a step inside and a switch to the other flank, or a burst forward, he wants to be positive.

He was involved in our fourth goal, driving through midfield to play in Bukayo Saka whose low cross eventually came to Havertz. When asked about what will happen for them this season, Arteta said:

If they continue like they are doing right now. There is no difference whether they come from the academy or we sign them from Germany or Argentina or Italy. If they are showing the quality that they have, the personality they have to play at this level…let’s see. Why would we put any restrictions? If they deserve minutes, they get minutes.

It’s easier said than done at times, especially when the stakes get higher and the margin for error diminishes, but these two 17 year olds should see decent competitive playing time this season. The cups are probably the main outlets for them, but should they be required at Premier League or Champions League level, then I’d have few worries about their quality, and building their experience on top of that is part of the development process.

Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Declan Rice

The game got a bit disjointed towards the end with all the changes, but Rice and Saka were half-time introductions, while Saliba played the first 45. If you asked me now if they’ll be in the team for Wolves, I’d say 100% yes (bar some kind of physical issue). They haven’t had much in the way of holidays, but as a trio they are so crucial to the team their involvement last night was quite telling.

Arteta wasn’t even particularly vague about it afterwards, saying:

The season starts in nine days so they have to be ready. This is the demand that they have right now so we will look after them every day they are with us. We have given them the rest that they needed. The best thing to do is look at their faces and see the spark in their eyes. Because they don’t want to miss it, they certainly want to be involved.

So, plenty of positives to take into Sunday’s game against Lyon, after which the countdown to the new season begins in earnest. Hopefully we can see a bit of Calafiori in that game, and fingers crossed there’s a bit of transfer activity too, but let’s see what happens.

We’ll have an Arsecast for you a bit later this morning, so join us for that. In the meantime, have a good Thursday!

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