Viktor Gyokeres opened his Arsenal account in style with a brace as the Gunners crushed newly promoted Leeds United 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
The £64m summer signing from Sporting Lisbon showcased his striker’s instinct with two well-taken goals, underlining why Mikel Arteta turned to him as the long-term solution to Arsenal’s number nine problem.
The emphatic victory lifted Arsenal to the top of the Premier League on goal difference ahead of Tottenham, with both clubs boasting perfect starts to the season.
Arsenal’s win came at a cost, however, as Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard both limped off injured just eight days before the Gunners’ crucial clash against Liverpool. Arteta admitted the setbacks highlighted the importance of his deepened squad after a £260m summer outlay.
“We’ve learnt the lesson from last season,” said Arteta. “You need a big squad because anything can happen. Losing Bukayo and Martin today is a big blow, especially with Kai [Havertz] already out.”
Jurrien Timber set the tone with a towering header from a set piece and later provided the assist for Saka’s thunderous strike before the winger was forced off. Timber then bagged his second after the break, again from a corner.
Gyökeres added Arsenal’s third with a composed finish after jinking into the box before sealing his brace from the penalty spot in stoppage time after 15-year-old debutant Max Dowman won a foul in the area.
Dowman, introduced for Noni Madueke, became Arsenal’s second-youngest ever player at 15 years and 234 days, only behind Ethan Nwaneri.
Leeds were comprehensively outplayed and created just one meaningful chance, a Pascal Struijk header comfortably saved by David Raya.
The night, however, belonged to Gyökeres, whose double capped a statement performance for Arsenal, even as Arteta faces an anxious wait on the fitness of his key stars.
