The Germany star put his Skills Challenge embarrassment behind him as he scored the Gunners' fifth and final goal in a one-sided victory
If Wednesday night was any indication, there's no hangover at Arsenal. There's no burnout from last season's title push or letdown after their Premier League disappointment. No, this was a team that is starting as they mean to go on as they battered the MLS All-Stars 5-0 on Wednesday night.
There were familiar sights of same old Arsenal: a highlight-reel pass from Martin Odegaard to Gabriel Martinelli, some fantastic defending from William Saliba, Bukayo Saka running down the wing with no defender able to stop him. But this was also a glimpse into a new-look Gunners team from Mikel Arteta that has more options than they did before.
New signings were on full display here: Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber all got their first minutes in an Arsenal shirt. Havertz, in fact, scored the fifth in the 5-0 win, a thumping finish in a game that had a whole bunch of them.
Arsenal were at their merciless best against an overmatched MLS team. Their American adventure has just begun, but it's off to one heck of a start.
GOAL looks at what we learned during the clash at Audi Field…
GettyTrossard steps up in new role
Arteta looks like he's on to something here. Leandro Trossard was named to the Gunners' starting XI on Wednesday night, but not in his usual wing position. Instead, he was deployed as the left-sided No. 8 and, based on this evidence, he could be a monster in that spot.
The Belgian scored a fantastic goal, a stunning missile of a finish from just outside the box that pushed the scoreline to 2-0. It was the type of moment that showed exactly why Arsenal signed him from Brighton: to provide another dynamic player in the final third.
He showed he can do more than that, though. Playing as a central midfielder, Trossard was an absolute menace, consistently hounding the MLS full-backs throughout his time on the field.
It's a fun position for Trossard, for sure, and it's easy to imagine someone like Havertz playing in a similar spot going forward. Options are good, of course, and it seems Arteta has them in central midfield if you add Trossard to the mix.
AdvertisementGettyStop it, Jesus!
He's in pre-season form, of course, but there was nothing pre-season about Gabriel Jesus' goal. Out of thin air… golazo. It took just five minutes for Jesus to produce a stunner, and that's good news for Arsenal, isn't it?
A lovely ball from Jorginho sprung Saka down the right-hand side, but the England star was corralled by Alvaro Barreal. The FC Cincinnati star couldn't prevent the ball from falling to Jesus, though, and the Arsenal striker produced a fantastic backpost chip that ex-Borussia Dortmund goalkeper Roman Burki could only watch. It was an All-Star Game-worthy goal, for sure.
The Brazilian scored 11 goals last season, a respectable haul considering the injury issues he faced, but, for Arsenal to push Manchester City again, they'll likely need closer to 20 out of their attacking star.
Wednesday night's stunner bodes well, then, for a player that faces a big season. Strikers love goals, and it didn't take long for Jesus to find one in this All-Star Game.
GettyHavertz puts Skills Challenge mess behind him
You got your laughs in, Twitter, and rightfully so. Kai Havertz's first real moments in an Arsenal shirt were embarrassing to say the least. In the MLS Skills Challenge, Havertz's display was absolutely pitiful, as he failed to find the back of the net in an event designed for players to score.
He made no mistake on Wednesday, though. His shot hit the back of the net, and nearly went through it. The jokes are over. Havertz got his goal. The German was a bit quiet up until his late finish, but that's okay. It was a good runout for the ex-Chelsea star, one highlighted by a confidence-boosting goal that he surely needed.
Arsenal paid a lot of money for Havertz so they'll expect plenty more goals in the years to follow. It'll take some time for all involved to get used to this new partnership, but there are few better ways for players to build chemistry than by celebrating goals.
GettyFirst look at Rice and Timber
The ovation was the loudest of the evening, for sure. Welcome to Arsenal, Declan Rice! The fans are glad you're here. The ex-West Ham man was introduced in the second half, coming on to replace Jorginho in the midfield. Every time he touched the ball, there was a buzz in the crowd. Everyone in attendance was excited to see the new £105-million man.
There was nothing flashy about Rice's debut aside from the ovations, but we all know he wasn't signed to be flashy. He, instead, did what he always does. He demanded the ball and made no mistakes once he got it, proving the presence in midfield that Arsenal has often lacked.
As for fellow new boy Timber, he may have been the best of the bunch. The former Ajax defender looked totally composed at that right-back position and, if that's what the Gunners can expect to get from him this season, he'll be just fine.