After a scrappy 1-0 win at Old Trafford, all eyes were on the gunners and how they’d perform against an underdog who too, had scrapped a 1-0 win at Elland Road against Everton. The score was Arsenal 5-0 Leeds United. Here are some key takeaways.
Arsenal are lethal. No slowing down, no mercy, Arsenal were unrelenting at home against Leeds and didn’t hold back in any regard. Set pieces were key as that’s how they scored the opener but they created a host of chances from open play, capitalizing on holes in the newly promoted Leeds’ backline.
Leeds United don’t have what it takes to be in the Premier League. They were victims in this match, trying desperately to keep up with the gunners ferocity going forward. They countered solidly but ultimately made no concrete chance to write home about. A disappointing performance from them married with a solid showing from Arsenal spelt doom from minute one.
Arsenal could have had more. Arsenal tore apart Leeds in every regard even if it took a while to get going completely. Gyökeres missed a noticeable overhead chance gifted to him by a foolish error in the backline by Leeds and other such missed chances. Had Arsenal been in mid-season form, perhaps it could have been even higher than 5-0.
Leeds’ will not be competitive with the top 6. Their opportunity to remain in the Premier League will come against the lower level opposition who too are fighting for a place in the Premier League. If you’re expecting an upset against Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal (at home) then you are being quite hopeful. It looked as if today Leeds’ didn’t have the tools at hand to handle Arsenal tonight and that could be a problem as mentioned.
Arsenal could be in an injury dilemma. Both Saka and Ødegaard were substituted off for injuries and that could be an issue should they not return for the next fixture against Liverpool at Anfield on the 31st of August. This match against Leeds could affect their title race seeing how direct rivals Liverpool will be fighting tooth and nail to get all 3 points at home.