Arsenal 4 – 1 Bayer Leverkusen: Post-match analysis as Gunners rout to secure unbeaten Emirates Cup title.
- Arsenal in fine form, defeating Pharmacy by a landslide in pre-season game
- Mikel Arteta’s team play with great intensity.
- Arsenal have one more pre-season game remaining against Olympique Lyonnais.
Arsenal return to the Emirates Stadium for the first time as they prepare. The 2024-25 Premier League season and did not disappoint with a 4-1 rout. With one game remaining in their preparations for the new season.
The meeting of the “Undefeated” teams
This is the first meeting since Bayer Leverkusen became the first team in the Bundesliga to go an entire season unbeaten. While Arsenal remain the only team to achieve the same record in 2004. Both sides have prepared their squads ahead of the league kickoff in mid-August, and Arsenal appear to be more prepare. The German champions in terms of results, consistency in the game and the fitness of their players.
The return of the “Invert Fullback”
This game is another game that we saw Oleksandr Zinchenko play as a starter. He is often remembered as the first fullback of the team playing in the Invert Fullback system, who will join the game in the midfield position, both as a ball connector and another ยูฟ่าเบท ball distributor. Which will happen when playing an attacking game and will withdraw to play as a fullback in the defensive game. The difficulty of playing this position is the time to switch positions. Which requires watching the rhythm of the game well. Zinchenko does this better than many people.
That the team tried to teach to play in this system. And this may important reason why he has stayed with the team. Many of his plays are about linking the game and finding a chance to pass the ball in one touch through the gaps forward. However, he himself has problems playing defense. Which is often criticized by fans. Especially compared to Jakub Kiwior. Who excels in defense, it is even clearer. But in attack and playing in this system, Zinchenko is clearly better.
Gabriel Jesus returns to form
The Brazilian forward ended last season disappointed, losing his place in the first team due to injuries and failing to recapture the form he had in his first season with the Gunners. While also being ignored by the Brazil squad for Copa America 2024. He has training on a personal level since the summer break. This season and it has helped him to be fully fit, and the Gunners’ third goal showed the results of two months of hard work.