Yorkshire | Leeds United thrashed by Arsenal

Arsenal 5 - 0 Leeds United 

Viktor Gyökeres marked his home debut with two goals as Arsenal overpowered Leeds in a five-goal victory

Author | Oliver W

Stadium | Emirates Stadium

View from the stands

The atmosphere was charged in the stadium as the England international Eze was unveiled and Arsenal responded with a performance full of intensity. Jurrien Timber opened the scoring with a header from a set piece before setting up Bukayo Saka for the second. Saka drilled a shot past Lucas Perri shortly before the interval, although his evening was cut short when he hobbled off after the restart.

Gyökeres, who joined for £64m in the summer, struck Arsenal’s third with a composed finish after weaving into the area and Timber added his second from another corner. 

The closing stages brought a Premier League debut for 15-year-old Max Dowman, who replaced Noni Madueke on his first start for the club. Dowman won a penalty within minutes of coming on after being tripped by Anton Stach, and Gyökeres converted to round off the win.

This result won't define Leeds United's season

Kick-off in North London

Leeds began their campaign with victory over Everton, a result that offered a measure of optimism as they travelled to north London.

History was against them, however, with 10 defeats in their previous 12 league visits to Arsenal, and that record never looked in danger of improving. Apart from Pascal Struijk’s first-half header, Daniel Farke’s side posed little threat to Mikel Arteta’s team.

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Arsenal presented a far sterner challenge than Everton and Leeds were unable to make an impression in the final third. The afternoon did at least allow Farke to hand a debut to £18m striker Noah Okafor, who alongside Lukas Nmecha will be relied upon to provide the goals needed to avoid the familiar fate of newly promoted clubs slipping straight back to the Championship.

The road ahead is no easier. Leeds face Newcastle next and will need to show far greater resilience if they are to prevent a repeat outcome.