Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen LIVE RESULT: Gunners cruise to victory against German champions in pre-season friendly
ARSENAL have beaten German champions Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates.
The Gunners took the lead through Oleksandr Zinchenko's thunderbolt on eight minutes.
60 seconds later, Leandro Trossard doubled Arsenal's lead after great feet to evade the Leverkusen defenders.
On 38 minutes, Gabriel Jesus' stunner from outside the box made it 3-0 as the Gunners cruised into the interval with a comfortable lead.
Kai Havertz tapped in for 4-0 just after the hour mark before Adam Hlozek got the Germans on the scoresheet.
- Match result: Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen
- Arsenal team: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Vieira, Odegaard, Trossard, Havertz, Jesus
- Bayer Leverkusen team: Kovar, Hincapie, Tah, Kossounou, Wirtz, Terrier, Tapsoba, Adli, Garcia, Frimpong, Xhaka
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Before we sign off for the evening, let's take a look back at a scintillating friendly showing with Jordan Davies' match report of Arsenal's 4-1 thrashing of Bayer Leverkusen.
Arsenal look fit, sharp and hungry. The new season cannot come soon enough.
Jordan DaviesFriends reunited at the Emirates
Mikel Arteta shared an embrace with Granit Xhaka before the game, at full time, and when the midfielder was substituted 11 minutes from time.
The Swiss star was making his first appearance at the Emirates since leaving Arsenal in the summer of 2023, and showed how popular he remains around his former club.
Arteta on absent Arsenal stars
Many were expecting Riccardo Calafiori to make his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt this evening, but the Italia had to settle for a seat in the stands.
After the game, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta explained the reasoning for both the Italian and Jurrien Timber missing out on the action.
Jurrien [Timber] had some discomfort in his foot these last few days, and we didn’t want to take any risks. With regards to Riccardo [Calafiori] so much has happened to him in the past week. We are managing him and again we didn’t want to take any risks.
Mikel Arteta
Tough start awaits Gunners
Arsenal looked brilliant at times tonight which is reassuring for their fans.
Many supporters believe that the Gunners will have to hit the ground running giving the difficulty of their start to the season.
Amid awkward home games with Wolves and Brighton, Arsenal travel away to Aston Villa - the Champions League outfit that did the double over them last term - before a North London derby at rivals Tottenham, and a trip to reigning champions Manchester City.
Arsenal stars just g-rate
Who looked super fit and super energetic? And who left questions being asked about where they fit into Mikel Arteta's plans?
Find out with Jordan Davies' player ratings of Arsenal's 4-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen.
Full time - Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen
Arsenal are back with a bang!
Four goals, and a free-flowing display - especially in the first half - has the Emirates all of a buzz.
But at the full time whistle, the Arsenal players only have one thing in mind.
To a man, they all head to former teammate Granit Xhaka for a hug, high five and a chat
It's a lovely moment, but it will be back to business on Sunday when Lyon visit for the final pre-season run-out - and then it's the return of the Premier League.
Bring it on!
Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen
90. Like the end of the first half, there is going to be no time added on to finish the second.
I'm glad to see it following the nonsense of this time last year when it became the norm for games - even pre-season friendlies - to have 12 minutes plus of stoppage time.
Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen
89. Gustavo Puerta receives a yellow card right at the end for a needless pull of Nwaneri's shirt.
It seems a surprisingly feisty end to an encounter that has been all smiles and high fives.
Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen
87. Saka sets off on a mazy run down the right.
He beats one, beats two, another, and is finally chopped down by hatchet man Andrich.
The referee waves play on as Rice takes over, but the attack quickly ends when the midfielder treads on the ball and goes down.
Thankfully, there doesn't seem to be any issue as Rice picks himself up, other than a red face.
Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen
85. Five minutes remaining, and the Arsenal youngsters continue to enjoy themselves.
While many could be stars of the future, there is a lot of hope around these parts that Nwaneri could play a part next season.
Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen
83. Nketiah tries to work his way through the Leverkusen backline, but Tapsoba covers the danger well.
The centre-back has been one of his team's better performers this evening.
Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen
81. And the cheering continues, this time for the introduction of Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian is back, and on for the last nine minutes in place of Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen
79. Granit Xhaka goes off to a standing ovation.
The midfielder never got a chance to say a proper goodbye to Arsenal when he left in 2023, and so he and 60,000 Gooners are taking the opportunity now.
Xhaka responds to the reception with applause, waves and a huge smile - and as he leaves the pitch, he is embraced by Mikel Arteta.
Gone, but not forgotten.
Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen
76. Bayer Leverkusen are on the board, and their travelling supporters finally have something to cheer.
It's a cleverly constructed, well-taken goal that takes advantage of the many Arsenal changes.
Nathan Tella is slipped through down the right, and he cushions a pass beyond Myles Lewis-Skelly for substitute Adam Hlozek.
A neat first touch, a sweet dink of a shot and David Raya's clean sheet is busted.
Consolation!
Arsenal 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen
74. There's currently a Mexican Wave making its way around the Emirates.
So Arsenal.
Arsenal 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen
72. Nwaneri and Saka play a delicious one-two inside the Leverkusen box.
Straight Outta Hale End.
Arsenal 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen
70. Mikel Arteta introduces two more of his young Gunners.
Full-back Josh Nichols is on for Ben White while central operator Ayden Heaven replaces Gabriel.
Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah takes over from Kai Havertz up front.
Arsenal 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen
68. What a confidence boost this will be for Arsenal ahead of the new season.
The Gunners are currently destroying a team that were essentially unbeatable last season.
Arsenal 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen
66. Arsenal have a fourth!
A driving run from Ethan Nwaneri, only just on, sparks the attack before the teenager finds Bukayo Saka on the right.
A trademark dart to the byline from the England international opens up room for a low delivery, which is met in his own goalmouth by Granit Xhaka.
However, the former Arsenal ace can only poke the ball back into the path of the grounded Kai Havertz, who cooly reacts to swipe home for four.
A four-gone conclusion!
Arsenal 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen
64. Switches for the visitors too.
Arsenal 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen
62. Two more changes for the Gunners.
Another 17-year-old in Ethan Nwaneri is on along with Thomas Partey.
Captain Martin Odegaard and Jorginho have made way.
Arsenal 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen
60. Just as Xabi Alonso is readying a batch of substitutes, Tella snatches at a chance across the edge of the box and slices wide.
It brings the first 'wahey!' cry of derision that I've heard this pre-season.
Arsenal 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen
58. There hasn't been close to the attacking intent of the first half with the game having dropped in tempo with the changes that have been made.
The good news is there are more on the way.