Arsenal Thrash Leeds but Face Injury Worries for Saka and Ødegaard
Arsenal fans had plenty to cheer about at the Emirates this weekend, but the celebrations came with a shadow hanging over them. The Gunners stormed to a dominant 5-0 victory against Leeds United, yet injuries to Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Ødegaard left Mikel Arteta concerned about what lies ahead.
The evening started with excitement off the pitch, as new signing Eberechi Eze was welcomed to north London. It was revealed that Eze had even reached out to Arteta before completing his move, checking if Arsenal would step in before he signed for Spurs. That move showed just how much he wanted to wear red, and Arsenal made it happen with a swift £60 million deal, plus add-ons, stealing him away from Tottenham’s grasp. The Emirates crowd certainly appreciated the moment, giving him a warm reception before kick-off.
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Once the match began, Arsenal wasted no time stamping their authority. Jurrien Timber surprisingly grabbed a brace from defence, Bukayo Saka added another before his injury cut the night short, and Viktor Gyökeres finally opened his account for the club with two well-taken goals. His confidence seemed to grow as the game went on, especially after converting a late penalty won by 15-year-old debutant Max Dowman, who was fearless from the moment he stepped on the pitch. Arteta praised the youngster afterwards, calling his self-belief something he had “never witnessed” before at such a young age.
But while the scoreline was emphatic, the focus quickly shifted to the worrying sight of Saka hobbling off in the second half. The winger felt something in his hamstring during a sprint, and Arteta admitted that the early signs suggested it could be a “significant” issue. Considering Saka already missed a large part of last season with a similar problem, concern among the coaching staff and supporters was clear. Ødegaard also left the pitch after landing awkwardly on his shoulder, though that injury seemed less severe in comparison. Scans are expected to determine the extent of both knocks.
For Arteta, the timing could hardly be worse. Arsenal travel to Anfield next Sunday to face Liverpool in what could be an early-season marker for both teams. Having their captain and their most influential winger in doubt for that fixture leaves a cloud over an otherwise sparkling start to their home campaign.
Still, there were positives to hold onto. Eze’s arrival adds flair and versatility to the attack, Gyökeres looks like he is finding his feet, and the young academy prospects continue to bring fresh energy. The performance against Leeds showed Arsenal’s depth and intent, but the injuries reminded everyone that nothing comes easy in a long Premier League season.
For now, Arsenal fans will be hoping the celebrations from Saturday night don’t turn into frustration by the time they walk into Anfield next weekend.
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