Arsenal secured an important 4-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday evening in their penultimate pre-season friendly ahead of the new Premier League season getting underway.

The Gunners returned from their tour of the United States to be welcomed home at the Emirates for the first time since losing the Premier League title race to Man City on the final day of last season.

Mikel Arteta was boosted by the return of England internationals Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, with both still shaking off ring rust following their participation at Euro 2024.

Meanwhile, four different Arsenal goalscorers got on the scoresheet with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Oleksandr Zinchenko all netting in the win.

Mail Sport's Isaan Khan brings you five key points we learned from Arsenal's latest pre-season victory. 

Arsenal secured a 4-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in their penultimate pre-season friendly

1. Zinchenko isn't going anywhere

The news on Tuesday that Oleksandr Zinchenko will wear the No17 shirt instead of No35 for the coming season pointed to one thing: he will not be leaving Arsenal in this transfer window.

Assertions had circulated that he could be exiting after the £42million arrival of Riccardo Calafiori and return of Jurrien Timber from injury — albeit the Dutchman is now being rested over a minor foot knock.

Zinchenko marked the shirt update with a starting position against Bayer Leverkusen and a goal, driving the ball into a corner from just outside the box.

A love heart with his hands was gestured to the crowd. He played well. Arsenal fans are well aware of the Ukrainian’s ability in attack. He has a wand of a left foot and relishes driving at opponents.

It’s in defence where his frailties have been exposed. Particularly on the break and when isolated in one-v-one duels. That is why it was interesting to see him play further out wide at left back and in a more advanced position.

It was a ploy that looked more natural to him and allowed Zinchenko to further flourish in the midfield areas. The left-midfield role looks to be his best fit. But if that position is not available, playing as a wide left back with the licence to get deep could well be the key.

2. Arsenal banking on Jesus' fitness

The money spent on Calafiori and pursuit of Mikel Merino shows where Arteta’s thoughts lie on the frontline. Bolstering it is not a priority. Particularly when 91 goals were scored in the previous campaign — the club’s highest tally since the 1952-53 campaign.

A striker is not expected to be signed in this window. That’s where Gabriel Jesus comes in. The Brazilian impressed the Arsenal camp on the US tour with the condition he arrived in and how sharp he looked.

The club believe that if he can stay fit — the striker has been plagued by knee issues in the last two years — Jesus can play an important role this season.

His on and off the ball play against Leverkusen was sublime at times. Those classic bursts of pace and dribbling through crowds of players were on show and demonstrate why there are high hopes around him.

That was topped off by his goal, marauding through midfield from Arsenal’s own half before striking the ball into the bottom-left corner. The stage is set for Jesus — and there for the taking this season.

3. A heart-warming reunion between friends 

With the season yet to officially start, this fixture could have been excused for feeling like a reunion. Ex-Gooner Granit Xhaka — who spent seven years at the north London club — was on the pitch facing his old mates.

Xabi Alonso was on the touchline opposite his childhood mate Mikel Arteta. And then to round it off = Leverkusen, football’s most recent Invincibles side after their unbeaten run last season, were facing Arsenal 20 years after their Invincibles feat.

So there was much symmetry on show. But niceties aside, this was the kind of fixture Arsenal needed before the season starting. An opposition team who are coming off a very strong campaign and adding to the string of recent pre-season matches, including opponents Manchester United and Liverpool.

It falls in line with Arteta’s goal of having the necessary preparation for the season ahead to take on Manchester City for the title once again.

4. Saka and Rice return from holiday

The introduction of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice at half-time was the first time Arsenal fans had a glimpse of them ahead of the new season.

Both players, alongside David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale, had been given an extended rest period after featuring in the Euros final, so didn’t travel to the US.

It was a reminder of the calibre of players still to enter the fray with just one week left until the Premier League starts. Rice eased his way in and looks to still have more levels to hit before the league opener against Wolves.

While Saka started where he left off from last season, providing a cross for the Kai Havertz goal off a trademark burst to the touchline. Both are champing at the bit.

5. Gabriel and Saliba remain Arsenal's bedrock

Wednesday's match was the first at the Emirates since the previous campaign. Their last match, against Liverpool in Philadelphia, saw defensive cracks come to the fore.

That was influenced by starting a centre-back pairing who never play together in those positions — Gabriel and makeshift left back Jakub Kiwior.

The sturdiness of the last two seasons could be felt with William Saliba playing alongside his telepathic partner Gabriel. 

It’s a bedrock which has laid the foundations to two of Arsenal’s title challenges — and will again be crucial if the Gunners are to wrestle the title to north London.

Most Leverkusen attacks were thwarted before they could reach the penalty area, leaving the Germans with little scraps to feed off and shooting speculatively. It’s no surprise that their goal came after Kiwior came on for Saliba.

Gabriel and Saliba. A partnership which will once again be feared by many a Premier League side.