Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen: thoughts and observations

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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…

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Source link : https://arseblog.com/2024/08/arsenal-4-1-bayer-leverkusen-thoughts-and-observations/

Author : arseblog

Publish date : 2024-08-08 06:43:23

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