In their biggest pre-season statement of intent this summer, Arsenal hit Sevilla for six with a dazzling performance in the Emirates Cup on Saturday afternoon.
Gabriel Jesus stole the show with a hat-trick on his first Gunners appearance in front of his home fans, while Bukayo Saka scored twice to send a reminder about his frightening potential. In truth, the game was over with less than 20 minutes played thanks to Arsenal's astonishing flurry of four goals in 10 minutes.
Jesus and Saka found the back of the net twice each during the early stages to leave a Sevilla side defensively-depleted but still boasting plenty of quality shellshocked in the extreme. After the interval, the game settled down somewhat but Arsenal added to their commanding advantage thanks to another poacher's goal from Jesus and a contribution from substitute Eddie Nketiah.
It was the type of dominant performance which will give the Emirates faithful serious hope their side can go one better than last season and secure Champions League qualification this campaign. Not only that, Arsenal played the kind of incisive, flowing football for which they are historically renowned, with £45million summer signing Jesus slotting seamlessly into a youthful attack also comprising Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli.
While he will no doubt be delighted to see his boyhood side flourishing on the eve of the new season, one man who may be slightly concerned by recent developments is Emile Smith Rowe. Handed a bumper new contract last year and the coveted No. 10 shirt, many expected the Englishman to establish himself as a key man for Arteta.
Smith Rowe registered a fine return of 11 goals last season - his strike against Tottenham in September was particularly memorable - but only chipped in with two assists, gradually losing his starting berth to Martinelli as last season wore on.
He has been hampered as he attempts to stake his claim for a more significant role in the coming term due to a muscular injury which ruled him out of the tour of the United States.
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While he could return to fitness in time for the Premier League curtain-raiser against Crystal Palace on Friday, the 22-year-old may be in for a nasty surprise when Arteta selects his team to face the Eagles. The Gunners' other forwards have excelled in his absence and the attack which was so devastating against Sevilla may well be Arteta's first-choice set-up.
Of course, there will be plenty of opportunities to impress by virtue of Arsenal returning to European action this season, but slipping out of the strongest XI will not have been the pathway Smith Rowe envisaged for himself as he put pen to paper on his contract last summer. It is up to him to capitalise on the chances which come his way and remind Arteta of his quality.
