Leeds no match for rampant Arsenal but Gunners sweat over injured stars

Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring their side's third goal. Pic: John Walton/PA Wire.

Premier League: Arsenal 5-0 Leeds 

A BIG PARTY for Arsenal and their fans but they ended up feeling the pain of a hangover before the action had even ended as captain Martin Odegaard and star forward Bukayo Saka suffered serious looking injuries.

Newly promoted Leeds were no match for an Arsenal side further fired up for their first home game of the season by the emotional presentation of new signing Eberechi Eze on the pitch before kick-off.

Then they got to see Viktor Gyokeres score twice on his home debut after Jurrien Timber and Saka had given Mikel Arteta’s side a deserved two-goal half-time lead.

Odegaard departed with a nasty looking shoulder problem after only 38 minutes into his 200th club appearance.

Swedish striker Gyokeres raised spirits further when he struck a superb solo effort soon into the second half only for the celebrations to quickly die down when Saka hobbled off with what looked like a recurrence of the hamstring problem that caused him to miss much of last season.

Timber’s second close range finish from a corner extended Arsenal’s lead to four goals.

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka is treated by medical staff. Pic: John Walton/PA Wire.

Arteta had a further treat for the noisy home supporters when he sent on 15-year-old wonderkid Max Dowman for his Premier League debut and become the club’ second youngest player ever after Ethan Nwaneri.

And the teen sensation capped a stunning debut when he was felled to earn a penalty in injury time, allowing Gyokeres the opportunity to ram home an unstoppable spot kick.

Odegaard and Saka will be undergoing tests as soon as is humanly possible to establish the extent of their problems.

If they are as bad as feared, just days after striker Kai Havertz suffered a significant knee problem, then it is more than possible the club will look to make an eighth summer signing before the transfer window closes. In the meantime, they can be calm in the knowledge their activity to date leaves them insured to cope with a very early season injury crisis of sorts.

Arsenal: Raya 8, Timber 8 (Mosquera 64), Saliba 7, Gabriel 7, Calafiori 6 (Lewis-Skelly 64), Zubimendi 7, Rice 6, Odegaard 6 (Nwaneri 38), Saka 8 (Trossard 53), Madueke 6 (Dowman 64), Gyokeres 8. Subs: Arrizabalaga, Martinelli, Kiwior, Merino.

Leeds: Perri 4, Bogle 6 (Byram 83), Gudmundsson 5, Struijk 6, Rodon 5, James 6, Piroe 6, Stach 6, Tanaka 5 (Longstaff 58), Gnonto 5 (Okafor 66), Gruev 6 Subs: Darlow, Aaronson, Nmecha, Bijol, Harrison, Bornauw.

Referee: Jarred Gillett 5.

Att: 60,110