The Gunners secured a comfortable 4-1 win against German champions Bayer Leverkusen this evening thanks to goals scored by Zinchenko (7′), Trossard (8′), Jesus (37′) and Havertz (64′), with A. Hložek (75′) scoring a consolation goal fo the visitors.
How both sides lined up:
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Odegaard, Havertz, Vieira, Trossard, Jesus.
Substitutes: Ramsdale, Setford, Lewis-Skelly, Nichols, Kiwior, Heaven, Partey, Rice, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Saka, Nelson, Nketiah.
Goals: Zinchenko (7′), Trossard (8′), Jesus (37′) and Havertz (64′).
Shots: 9 — On Target: 6
Possession: 44% — Corners: 4
Fouls: 5 — Yellow Cards: 0 — Red Cards: 0
Leverkusen XI: Kovar, Frimpong, Tah, Tapsoba, Kossounou, Hincapie, Xhaka, Garcia, Wirtz, Adli, Terrier.
Substitutes: Hradecky, Lomb, Arthur, Belocin, Puerta, Andreich, Hofmann, Tella, Holzek, Boniface.
Goals: A. Hložek (75′).
Shots: 7 — On Target: 2
Possession: 56% — Corners: 2
Fouls: 8 — Yellow Cards: 1 (Puerta 89′) — Red Cards: 0
Post-match views from the forum:
MutableEarth: “Good workout. Zinchenko was actually impressive today (when he wasn’t defending). The whole left side did very well in both halves.
Nwaneri for me came on and was impressive and probing throughout. Lewis-Skelly for me was the pick of the bunch, really think he needs to be played in midfield. LB is working for now but he’s a level above when he steps inside. Nichols also did well as well, nothing really came down his side but he dealt with everything well. Heaven I thought had a bit of a struggle, particularly when defending space but he’ll improve at that with more time at CB.
Jesus and Havertz both impressive as well as Trossard.”
Yousif Arsenal: “Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri look like elite talent still things need to improve in their game but people are up for a bad surprise when both play like combined 10 games this season. i hope we progress in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup they’ll get a lot of minutes in these competitions and also in CL if we secure the next round spot earlier but regarding games in the league I’ll be surprised if they get minutes with Mikel it’s extremely difficult the guy takes things seriously.”
SA Gunner: “TLDR: Our left side looks good, MLS and Nwaneri look like squad options and we look well prepared, bar some final fitness required and perhaps a transfer or two in to really get us cooking.
We’ve seen a lot of attention given to our left side dynamics this preseason, and that was on display again tonight with it being our dominant side in attack once again.
Zinchenko, Havertz and Trossard started there, and Lewis-Skelly, Martinelli, and Havertz ended there. So in the first half, we saw some nice rotations out on that side. In the second half, we saw some 22/23 directness down that side as the game was more transitional.
Think we still need to do more in transition or bring in players who can take advantage of the spaces behind. We make games uncomfortable for us by relying on our OOP structure to keep opponents at bay.
Lastly, Lewis Skelly as an inverted FB and Nwaneri as the 10, could be actual options this season. The former gives us cover as a passing six and the latter gives us cover/rotation for Ødegaard. I pray Arteta does something good with them.
Raya needs time, TP needs time, Rice ok, Saka good.
That’s off the top of my head, check the highlights if you get a chance to. Perhaps you see something as well”