Arsenal send warning to Premier League rivals with thrashing of Bundesliga invincibles

Arteta’s men were coming off a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in their USA preseason tour and were looking to get back to winning ways.

The Gunners did it in style by defeating Bayer Leverkusen 4-1, with the Bundesliga invincibles looking helpless.

Arsenal scored four goals between the first half and second half to sink Xavi Alonso’s team, with the Bundesliga winners getting only a consolation goal for themselves.

The Gunners fielded a strong eleven, with Saliba returning to the defence and Gabriel Jesus leading the attack.

Bayern Leverkusen also started a strong team, with Frimpong and Writz leading the attack for the Bundesliga champions.

Arteta’s team took the lead just eight minutes into the game from a good move from the left-hand side which Zinchenko slotted home from outside the box.

The Gunners made it two, sixty seconds later after the ball was intercepted by Leverkusen midfielder and Arsenal produced a beautiful movement in the box which Trossard finished with a silky move.

Arsenal kept looking dangerous and did not relent with their press which was rewarded by a Gabriel Jesus goal from a counterattack before the halftime whistle.

The second half started and Arteta made a lot of changes which reduced the intensity of the Arsenal side.

The likes of Saka, Kiwior, Nwaneri and others came in also get some minutes before the start of the season.

Despite reducing their intensity, they were able to get the fourth goal after Saka skipped past his marker on the right and put in a low cross which was intercepted into the path of Kai Hevertz who played the ball into an empty net.

Bayer Leverkusen could only get a consolation goal from a move that split the Arsenal defence leaving Hlozek to tap home from close range.

Arsenal will be looking to start the season looking formidable after beating the best Bundesliga team last season.