Arsenal’s brilliant pre-season form continued on Saturday as they thrashed Sevilla 6-0 in the Emirates Cup.
Arsenal jumped all over Sevilla early as both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus scored twice as the Gunners found themselves with a four-goal lead within the first 20 minutes. Jesus completed his hat-trick in the 77th minute before Eddie Nketiah rounded off the win after a flowing counter-attack move.
Mikel Arteta’s side has opened some eyes this pre-seaon as they have gone undefeated, while Gabriel Jesus has managed seven goals in five games and Arsenal have scored 26 times in seven matches.
One person not getting carried away with the pre-season wins is Arteta, who knows that these wins mean nothing if they don’t beat Crystal Palace on Friday, when the Premier League season begins:.
“It was a great performance, right from the beginning,” he said. “The way we started, the intensity that we played with, the atmosphere that we created again, with our people, it made a special day. Obviously, the result is big, but it’s just a test match, nothing else.
“We have shared the minutes across the team in the best possible way. We had another game on Wednesday at Colney, and everybody needs to fit, because things can still happen from here until Friday. Everybody needs to be available and at their best to give the right performance.
“We are really excited for the season. We know that Friday night is going to be a very different game, with a different context and atmosphere. We have to prepare really well for that.”
Arsenal have looked a threat going forward all summer as they have beaten Chelsea, Everton and Sevilla. But going forward has never been Arsenal’s weak spot. It has been defending. Has Arteta done enough this summer to tighten up, what was at times, a very leaky defense last season?
We will find out on Friday when the Premier League season opens, but a defensively stronger Arsenal, should be a top four side this season.
