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.
This year, however, the hope is that it will be different for the Brazilian after he had the summer off.
Jesus was left out of Brazil’s squad for the Copa America and he used that snub to get fully fit ahead of pre-season.
The striker has looked sharp for Arsenal and that was the case once more against Leverkusen. Jesus pressed the German side’s defence relentlessly and scored a great goal just before coming off at half-time.
A fully-fit Jesus would be a huge boost for Arsenal this season.
Trossard poised to keep left-wing place
Trossard finished last season in fine form - and it looks like the Belgian has picked up where he left off.
Trossard scored four goals in the final six games of last season, playing a pivotal role in Arsenal’s title charge and nailing down his spot in the team.
The winger moved ahead of Gabriel Martinelli in the pecking order, and the Brazilian faces a fight now it seems.
Trossard looked sharp against Leverkusen. He pulled off a smart dummy for Zinchenko’s opening goal and then scored Arsenal’s second by showing great composure in the box.
The 29-year-old will fancy his chances of starting Arsenal’s opening game of the season against Wolves next week.
Zinchenko ready to fight for his spot
Arsenal fans had been hoping to catch a glimpse of new signing Riccardo Calafiori in this clash with Leverkusen.
The defender, who joined the Gunners from Bologna for £42million, was not in the squad, though, as he continues to get up to speed.
Calafiori only joined Arsenal for the last few days of their tour to the USA and he played no part in their final match against Liverpool.
In his absence here, Zinchenko stepped up to the plate and showed why he won’t give up the left-back spot without a fight.
The Ukrainian put in a classic performance, getting on the ball repeatedly by tucking into midfield to help Arsenal dominate possession.
Zinchenko capped off a good display by opening the scoring with an excellent finish from the edge of the box.
Vieira looks set for wing role
Fabio Vieira has had a difficult first two seasons at Arsenal since joining from Porto for £34m.
The midfielder has shown flashes of brilliance, but he has never really lived up to his billing.
Until now, Vieira has mainly been used in central midfield by Arteta - playing as one of two No8s.
It would appear now, though, that the Portuguese will be used out wide as he bids to turn his time at Arsenal around.
Vieira was used there repeatedly during Arsenal’s tour to the USA and he started out right against Leverkusen.
The 24-year-old had the odd bright moment, with his set-pieces solid, but he didn’t catch the eye as much as he’d have liked in his 45-minute performance.
