The Gunners and Die Werkself faced off in a high-profile preseason friendly on August 7, 2024. This match arsenal f.c. vs leverkusen lineups provided an early glimpse into both teams’ strategies and player performances ahead of the new season.

Key Takeaways from the Match
Arsenal’s New-Look Attack: The Gunners showcased their attacking prowess with a blend of experience and youth. Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka continued their impressive form, while new signing Kai Havertz showed glimpses of his potential.
Leverkusen’s Pressing Game: The German side employed a high-pressing style, disrupting Arsenal’s build-up play and forcing turnovers. This tactic proved effective at times, but Arsenal’s resilience and technical ability allowed them to weather the storm.
Defensive Solidity: Both teams demonstrated defensive solidity, with strong performances from their backlines. Arsenal’s William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes formed a formidable partnership, while Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie and Edmond Tapsoba were equally impressive.
Starting Lineups
Arsenal
Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale
Midfielders: Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Granit Xhaka
Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli
Bayer Leverkusen
Goalkeeper: Lukas Hradecky
Defenders: Jeremie Frimpong, Piero Hincapie, Edmond Tapsoba, Mitchel Bakker
Midfielders: Exequiel Palacios, Kerem Demirbay, Robert Andrich
Forwards: Moussa Diaby, Florian Wirtz, Victor Boniface
Player Performances
Arsenal
Bukayo Saka: The English winger was once again a standout performer, showcasing his dribbling ability and clinical finishing.
Kai Havertz: The German forward showed glimpses of his potential, linking up well with his teammates and creating chances.
Declan Rice: The summer signing from West Ham United impressed with his physicality and ball-winning ability.
Bayer Leverkusen
Florian Wirtz: The young German playmaker continued his impressive form, creating numerous chances and scoring a goal.
Moussa Diaby: The French winger was a constant threat, using his pace and skill to get past defenders.
Piero Hincapie: The young Ecuadorian defender was solid defensively and contributed to the attack with his long-range passing.
Tactical Analysis
Arsenal
4-3-3 Formation: Arsenal employed a familiar 4-3-3 formation, with a focus on attacking through the wings and midfield.
High Pressing: The Gunners pressed high up the pitch, forcing Leverkusen to make mistakes and regain possession.
Quick Counter-Attacks: Arsenal’s pace and directness allowed them to quickly transition from defense to attack.
Bayer Leverkusen
4-2-3-1 Formation: Leverkusen used a 4-2-3-1 formation, with a focus on controlling possession and building attacks through midfield.
Patient Build-Up Play: The German side patiently built attacks, looking to find gaps in the Arsenal defense.
Counter-Pressing: Leverkusen pressed aggressively after losing possession, attempting to win the ball back quickly.
Arsenal’s Dominance
The Gunners showcased their attacking prowess from the very start, scoring three goals within the first eight minutes. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard found the net early on, followed by a stunning solo goal from Gabriel Jesus. Kai Havertz added a fourth goal in the second half, further cementing Arsenal’s dominance.
Arsenal’s New Signings Impress
The performance of Arsenal’s new signings was a major highlight of the match. Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber arsenal f.c. vs leverkusen lineups all made their debuts and showed glimpses of their potential. Rice was particularly impressive, winning the man of the match award for his physicality and ball-winning ability.
Key Highlights
Early Goals and Dominance: Arsenal’s blistering start to the game caught Leverkusen off guard. Within the first 10 minutes, they scored two goals through Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard, showcasing their clinical finishing and swift attacking movements.
Individual Brilliance: Gabriel Jesus’ solo goal in the first half was a highlight of the match. The Brazilian striker showcased his dribbling skills, power, and composure to score a stunning goal from outside the box.
Impressive Depth: Arsenal’s bench strength was on display, with players like Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka coming on and making an immediate impact. This depth will be crucial for the team to compete on multiple fronts throughout the season.

Defensive Solidity: Despite Leverkusen’s efforts, Arsenal’s defense remained resolute. William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Ben White formed a strong backline, limiting Leverkusen’s scoring opportunities.
Positive Signs for the Future: The overall performance against Leverkusen bodes well for Arsenal’s chances in the Premier League. The team’s attacking flair, defensive solidity, and depth of squad are all promising signs for the upcoming season.
Individual Performances
Oleksandr Zinchenko: The Ukrainian full-back was a standout performer, providing width and attacking threat down the left flank. He scored the opening goal and was a constant menace for Leverkusen’s defense.
Leandro Trossard: The Belgian forward made a strong impression, scoring a goal and creating numerous chances. His versatility and ability to play in multiple positions will be a valuable asset for Arteta.
Gabriel Jesus: The Brazilian striker showcased his class with a brilliant solo goal and his overall hold-up play. He will be a key player for Arsenal this season, arsenal f.c. vs leverkusen lineups providing a focal point in the attack.
Kai Havertz: The German forward came on as a substitute and made an immediate impact, scoring a goal and providing an assist. His versatility and goal-scoring threat will be a valuable asset for Arteta.
Declan Rice: The English midfielder made his debut for Arsenal and impressed with his composure on the ball and defensive awareness. He will be a key player for Arsenal this season, providing stability and leadership in the midfield.
Final Thoughts
Arsenal’s dominant performance against Bayer Leverkusen has further boosted their confidence ahead of the new Premier League season. The team’s attacking prowess, midfield solidity, and defensive organization are all looking promising. However, they will need to maintain their high standards and adapt to the challenges of the Premier League.
Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, will need to address their defensive issues and improve their attacking output if they want to compete at the highest level. The German side will be hoping to bounce back from this disappointing result and put in a strong performance in their next match.
FAQs
How did Arsenal’s new signings perform?
New signings like Declan Rice and Kai Havertz made immediate impacts, showcasing their quality and fitting seamlessly into the team’s style of play. Rice provided stability in midfield, while Havertz added creativity and goal-scoring threat.
What was the impact of Mikel Arteta’s tactical decisions?
Arteta’s tactical decisions, such as the high-pressing strategy and the fluid attacking movements, proved to be effective. The team’s ability to quickly transition from defense to attack was impressive.
What are the implications of this result for both teams?
The victory for Arsenal boosts their confidence and sets a positive tone for the upcoming season. For Bayer Leverkusen, the defeat highlights areas where they need to improve, particularly in defense and midfield.
To read more, Click Here
Leave a Reply