Arsenal 5-0 Leeds: Gyokeres scores twice as Arsenal devastate Leeds United in their second game of the EPL season
Following a disappointing outing at the Old Trafford last week, Viktor Gyokeres has silenced his critics with two superb goals in his first match at home.
Sweden international Gyokeres early netted his first goal in the match, latching onto defender Riccardo Calafiore’s ball over the top, playing himself inside the opposition box and slotting home a cool finish pass Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
The goal came shortly prior to the second of the two goals from Declan Rice corners found Jurrien Timber who made no mistake scoring with a first-half header before scoring Arsenal’s fourth on the evening.
Gyokeres’ first goal, following a challenging first half, was greeted especially with high-volume celebration, but the fans were afforded even more cause for joy by Dowman, who became the club’s second-youngest player to feature in Premier League 15─just seven months and 23 days old when he came on to replace another full debutant, Noni Madueke.
Arsenal 5-0 Leeds: Gyokeres Scores Twice
Dowman’s courageous move on the pitch showed why he is highly regarded by Arsenal as he boldly ran at Leeds United’s defenders and shot off target twice before drawing a late penalty from Anton Stach, which was converted by Viktor Gyokeres for his second.
The Gunners have become specialists in set-pieces as they recorded two goals from corner against Leeds, after another goal against Manchester United at the Old Trafford last weekend.
Arsenal have now scored 33 goals from corners in the EPL since the beginning of the 2023/24 season, with no other club has recorded more than 20 corner goals within the same timeframe.
The win over Leeds puts Arsenal at the top of the English Premier League, following their open-day victory at Old Trafford but their celebration was marred by injuries to Odegaard and Saka, with the club having already on the treatments table Kai Havertz, give Arteta major worry ahead of their next match away to Liverpool at Anfield.
Meanwhile, Leeds United remain on three points after their first-match win over Everton on Monday, with their league cup match against Sheffield Wednesday holding on Tuesday before their Saturday’s PL match against Newcastle.
Dowman Gives Us Joy ─ Arteta
After the match yesterday, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta commended Max Dowman’s impact, saying: “This is what we see every single day in training.
Arsenal 5-0 Leeds: Gyokeres Scores Twice
“We just gathered information about how he handles certain situations in terms of training, being in the squad and not being selected afterwards in Manchester, coming on the bench and feeling ready.
“A big compliment to his family as well. I think there is a kid with a level of maturity, stability and hunger that is very difficult to see.
“And obviously to the academy, all the coaches and everybody that has been involved in that journey, because there is a kid here that has zero hesitation.
“He’s so convinced that he can go at 15 and deliver that, which I never witnessed in my life. It brings joy, it brings emotion and something else that makes our jobs so great.”
Arteta On Odegaard And Saka Injury Scare
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta said: “Those are the negatives of the day. Martin felt something in his shoulder when he landed.
“We’ll have to scan it tomorrow [Sunday] and understand a bit better.
“And Bukayo, while he was running with the ball, carrying the ball, wrestling with the defender, he felt something in his hamstring.
“I think it’s the other one. It’s not the same one as the previous injury.
Arsenal 5-0 Leeds: Gyokeres Scores Twice
“He felt something while he was sprinting. That’s never a good sign. We’ll have to wait tomorrow, speak to the doctors as well and understand better what he does. But he’s had these injuries before. He knows exactly the feeling of that.
“It’s been two weeks and we’ve already lost Kai, Martin and Bukayo, so it tells you how well equipped you have to be in this league to manage and to maintain the level that we want.”
Will Eze Feature At Anfield?
Arsenal’s busy summer has yielded positively as the Gunners have squad depth to choose from during injury-hit period.
Arsenal’s recruitment this summer has left them with far greater attacking depth. Dowman’s emergence adds another thrilling option. But if Odegaard and Saka are to miss Sunday’s trip to Anfield along with Havertz, then Eze will be in strong contention to start.
During post-match conference, Arteta suggests that he will not feel reluctant to throw Eze in. “Delighted to have him,” he said during press conference.
“The talent is unquestionable. He’s done it in this league. The personality, unbelievable.”
Gyokeres Has Hit The Ground Running At Arsenal
Following a challenging debut at Old Trafford last week, Viktor Gyokeres experienced something similar during first half in his first match at the Emirates against Leeds.
There were heavy touches, a snatched shot inside the box, with over-eagerness to impress and prove his critics wrong spotted in his ability.
Arsenal 5-0 Leeds: Gyokeres Scores Twice
But fortune smiled on him as it only took him 3 minutes into the second half for his wish to be granted. His chance came after being given an opportunity to run in behind by Calafiore’s ball over the top, the Sweden striker exhibited his strength and cutting edge, moving inside the box and hitting the target for his first.
“It’s clear that Victor is really dangerous,” said Arsenal boss Arteta during post-match press conference.
“That’s his superpower. Let’s put him as much as possible in those kind of scenarios, because something will happen.”
Apparently, there is still work to do to supply him with the level of service he needs. As at United, is touches on the ball were as low as the ones against Leeds United.
But his first goal for Arsenal broke the jinx and Arteta will hope that serves as the motivation he needs.
The effect of his confidence was evident in the way he scored the last penalty drawn by the brilliance of teen-sensation Dowman.
The same confidence is expected of him at Anfield next weekend, but after a short pre-season with the team, he has started to look sharp physically too.
“It was important for me to get 90 minutes, get the rhythm and to get to know the team even more,” he said.
“I felt more comfortable in how we’re playing. I think you can see that as well.”
Arsenal Deserve The Win ─ Farke
Leeds coach Daniel Farke: “It’s fair to say Arsenal deserved to win this game and with a proper goal difference.
“It’s a team in the last few years that was probably the best in Europe. No other team has shown this consistency.
“You wish for this fixture to be after the Champions League. But in their first home game, on the back of an important win at Man Utd and with new signings presented, it’s always a difficult game for a newly-promoted side.
Arsenal 5-0 Leeds: Gyokeres Scores Twice
“A bit annoying how we conceded the goals. Timber in between my strongest headers.
“For us it’s not a season-defining game.”
