OPINION : Five things we learned as Arsenal thrash Bayer Leverkusen in pre-season statement

OPINION : Five things we learned as Arsenal thrash Bayer Leverkusen in pre-season statement

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners look more than ready to mount another title charge after German double winners are brushed aside

Arsenal put in an impressive performance in their penultimate pre-season friendly to beat Bayer Leverkusen.

The Gunners were 4-1 winners over the German side, who went unbeaten in the Bundesliga last season.

Arsenal came out of the blocks flying and were three goals to the good by half-time after Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus all got on the scoresheet.

Kai Havertz made it four after the break and the only dampener on an otherwise perfect night was Adam Hlozek pulling one back late for Leverkusen.

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings was at Emirates Stadium and here are five things he learned…

Havertz catches the eye in midfield

Havertz spent the second half of last season excelling as Arsenal’s No9, but the days of him being a midfielder seemingly aren’t over.

The German started there against Leverkusen and put in an impressive performance as a left No8.

Havertz set up both of Arsenal’s opening goals. For the first, he got in down the left flank before picking out Zinchenko with a cut-back.

Arsenal’s second goal came after quick feet from Havertz in the box allowed Trossard to score.

It was an encouraging display for Arsenal, not least because Mikel Arteta wants his side to be unpredictable for opponents.

Havertz flicking between playing up front or in midfield will help that and, when moved to play as the No9 after the break, the German got on the scoresheet himself.

Jesus feeling the benefit of summer break

Last season was a difficult one for Jesus. The striker was forced to have knee surgery on the eve of the campaign and, in truth, he never really got going after that.

There were flashes of brilliance – such as his performance away at Sevilla in the Champions League in October – but injuries dogged his season