LIVEArsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen: Live score, news and updates as explosive Gunners cruise past German champions with dominant win at the Emirates

Isaan Khan, Mail Sport, at the Emirates:

Gabriel Jesus' 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 demonstrated why there are high hopes around him. Jesus can play an important role this season.

Anonymous, Arsenal fan: You can only beat who is in front of you, and yes we may be a week or two ahead in our preparation for the upcoming season than our opponents this evening, but they were unbeaten German champions last season and won a domestic double, so I think that was an impressive performance especially in the first half, but also in the second half when we have rung the changes and brought some of the younger players on, nothing but positives for me! :0) COYG!

Jordan, Arsenal fan: Good win for a preseason friendly, all the players looked sharp. Good to see so many youngsters! Trossard played particularly well today.

I simply have to talk about this lad again.

Leandro Trossard has been a revelation since joining Arsenal in 2023, he just keeps getting better and better.

The Belgian has certainly leaped above Gabriel Martinelli in the pecking order for the left-winger role.

It's easy to see why, he is clinical. He took his goal today superbly.

He surely has to start against Wolves in the opening match of the season, right?

I'd be surprised if he didn't...

Arsenal's pre-season isn't quite over yet, they still have one more match to go.

On Sunday, another former Gunner will return to the Emirates as Alexandre Lacazette's Lyon come to town.

I'm not sure he will quite get the same amount of love as Granit Xhaka has, but you never know.

Mikel Arteta will be more bothered about what plays out on the pitch for the time being, they will want to go out on a high.

Going by how they played today, you'd expect it to be comfortable.

More from Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen boss, speaking post-match:

It is a wake-up call in preparation for us. This was far below our standards, far from where we want to be.

The photos just keep on coming.

Every picture that has come through of Granit Xhalka seems to be of him smiling with his former team-mates.

It's clear to see how much they love him and how key of a member he was to that squad.

Bayer Leverkusen may have lost, but Xhaka still had a good time.

Well, you've heard it from the horse's mouth.

Not trying to call Mikel Arteta a horse, of course, that would be rude, but he has confirmed Jurrien Timber's injury concerns.

While he doesn't say how long the Dutchman will be out for, it seems that the injury is not too bad.

Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen boss, speaking about Mikel Arteta post-match:

Mikel is leading a great club. They will be challenging with the big ones (teams). He (Arteta) has always been a competitive animal.

Euro 2024 is well and truly in the past.

Many teams have missed some of their biggest stars this pre-season due to their involvement in the tournament.

Well now they are back, and three of the Gunners' key men returned today.

Bukayo Saka looked his usual self on the right after coming on for the second half, while Declan Rice rarely put a foot wrong.

I didn't really notice William Saliba, in truth,m but that's probably because Bayer Leverkusen rarely threatened.

Valuable minutes in the bank for the big three.

I wonder what Xabi Alonso thought of that display.

I know it's only pre-season, but that is not the Bayer Leverkusen we have become accustomed to under the Spaniard.

They looked rigid and just sat deep and allowed Arsenal to come at them. there was no ebb and flow to their game.

Alonso needs to sort that out, pronto.

It seems Granit Xhaka still loves Mikel Arteta.

As he was brought off the pitch, rather than going straight to his bench he snuck other to the other side to give his former boss a hug.

Arteta loved the gesture and so did the crowd.

Arsenal were extremely impressive today.

With all their big guns back, they turned on the style in front of the Emirates crowd.

Four goals ain't bad, is it?

If that display is anything to go by, I think the Gunners are in for another brilliant season.

You have to remember, they have just dismantled the German champions without getting out of second gear.

It's only pre-season, but it's promising for Mikel Arteta.

Job done for Arsenal.

The Gunners have run rampant in north London, shipping four past Bayern Leverkusen with only one coming back the other way.

The second half was a bit more pedestrian, but overall Mikel Arteta will be very pleased with how his side played today.

I thought that was very entertaining, did you?

Oh dear, Declan Rice...

Arsenal are away on the counter-attack and Rice tries to carry the ball forward with pace.

But he gets carried away and accidentally stands on the ball before falling over.

The best of this match is certainly behind us.

I mean, we can't complain because it has been pretty entertaining, but there are just a few minutes to go.

Every time I think this, though, there is another goal.

Now the Emirates are up to applaud Leandro Trossard.

The Arsenal man has been on fire today, but his time is up and he is being replaced by Gabriel Martinelli.

The Brazilian winger has just a few minutes to show what he can do.

The Emirates rises to its feet.

Why? Well, it's because Granit Xhaka is coming off.

The former Arsenal man has struggled in the midfield today, but I bet he loved being back in north London.

He is replaced by Gustavo Puerta for the final 10 minutes.

David Raya will be annoyed about that goal.

The Spaniard loves clean sheets, he craves them, but he has just lost one that looked a certainty.

Yes, it's only pre-season, but it will still irk him.

A consolation goal for Bayer Leverkusen.

All the changes have made the Gunners weak at the back and Nathan Tella exploits them on the break.

He races away down the right before squaring the ball for Adama Hlozek to slot home from close range.

The German champions have finally arrived.

I thought we had left the States?

Arsenal fans do a Mexican wave, they really are enjoying themselves, right now.

You won't see that in the Premier League this season, I don't imagine anyway.

That's the last of the action for Kai Havertz and what a way to end your evening.

Eddie Nketiah is the man to replace him, while Ayden Heaven and Joshua Nichols come on in place of Gabriel and Ben White.

There's a very young Gunners side out there now.

Bukayo Saka looked really sharp there, that's a great sign for Arsenal going into the new season.

It's just been way too easy for the Gunners to rip through Bayer Leverkusen today.

There are a couple more goals still in this for them.

This is getting messy...

Arsenal have a fourth and this time it's a tap-in for Kai Havertz against his former club.

Bukayo Saka does brilliantly on the right-hand side and fires a dangerous low cross into the box.

It looks to have gone past Kai Havertz but it hits a defender and goes back into the German's path for him to prod home.

This could be any number at this point.

Xabi Alonso rings the changes.

Belocian, Andrich, Hofmann, Arthur, Hlozek, and Boniface all enter the action.

They replace Tah, Hincapie, Kossounou, Wirtz, Terrier, and Adli.

Mikel Arteta decides to switch it up too, but not quite as much.

Martin Odegaard's evening is over as Ethan Nwaneri comes on in his place, while Thomas Partey is on for Jorginho.

This is much better from Bayer Leverkusen, they have suddenly woken up.

Nathan Tella is the option in the area again and this time he is found with a low cross.

But his finish is poor and he fires well wide, it brings a massive 'wheyyy' from the crowd.

A few whistles too.

Florian Wirtz has just touched the ball, I forgot he was playing.

The talented midfielder has struggled to get in on the action tonight, but he does clip a ball into the area for Nathan Tella.

It's overhit, though, and nothing comes of the move.

The camera cuts to Wirtz and he does not look like a happy bunny.

Come on lads, do something!

I know pre-season matches peter out, but this feels way too soon for that to happen.

Arsenal are just content keeping the ball while Bayer Leverkusen sit back.

In truth, it's not the best watch.

Is this wrestling or football?

It's supposed to be the latter but Jonathan Tah just tried to turn it into the WWE.

The ball is lumped over the top to Kai Havertz and Tah clings straight onto his compatriot and won't let him go.

Eventually, he wrestles Havertz to the ground but nothing is given. Strange.

Just like the first half, it's been a rather slow start.

I've got to be careful saying that, though. The last time I did, Arsenal scored two goals in two minutes.

I guess Gunners fans would want that to happen again, I suppose.

There is a huge roar as Arsenal come back out for the second half.

The main reason why is because Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are returning to club action as they come on.

Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jakub Kiwior are also on, but the cheer probably is not for them, let's be honest.

Meanwhile, Nathan Tella is on for Bayer Leverkusen.

Anyway, the ball is now rolling again at the Emirates!

Leandro Trossard has been on fire today.

if I was Gabriel Martinelli watching him, I'd be sitting there very worried about a starting place.

Trossard has been tearing it up on the left, Jeremie Frimpong can't cope with him.

His goal was very good as well. Cool and composed.

What. A. Goal.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is not known for scoring goals, but my word he netted a Thundercracker today.

Just look how fast it hits the net, phoar. I could watch it over, and over again.

The perfect way to start the match for Arsenal.

Watch, and enjoy Arsenal fans.

There goes the whistle for the break!

That was a half of pure dominance from Mikel Arteta's men, they ripped Bayer Leverkusen apart.

Two goals in two minutes set them on their way before Gabriel Jesus surely put this game out of reach for the German champions.

This match is probably already done and dusted.

Mikel Arteta will be buzzing with this display, Arsenal have been superb.

Xabi Alonso on the other hand, not so much.

This is not the Bayer Leverkusen we are used to seeing whatsoever.

Another firecracker from Arsenal!

The Gunners are on absolute fire, Gabriel Jesus has added a third, and in some style.

He picks the ball up outside the area and arrows it into the bottom left-hand corner.

Matej Kovac could maybe do better, but it's a belting finish.

What did I say again? That nothing was happening, right?

Well, just as I said that, Oleksandr tries to score another screamer.

He loops a strike toward the far corner but this time Matej Kovar is equal to it.

This game has slowed down a lot in the last few minutes.,

Arsenal are dominating, but they are happy to just stroke the ball about now that they are two goals to the good.

Bayer Leverkusen need a good rocket at half-time, they have done nowt.

Kai Havertz has gone down, oh dear...

This is not a sight Mikel Arteta will want to see as he is walking very gingerly now after getting up.

Oh wait, panic over for the Gunners, he is suddenly fine. He didn't even need the help of the magic sponge!

Leandro Trossard is having a great time out there.

The Belgian comes inside from the left and decides to have a crack from distance.

His low drive is heading for the bottom corner but Matej Kovac pushes it around the post at full stretch.

The resulting corner is then cleared easily.

Ahhh, come on Gabriel!

The Arsenal defender takes out the former Arsenal fan-favourite, Granit Xhaka, rather brutally.

The Brazilian instantly apologises to his former team-mate before they share a joke.

Luckily, they are friends, otherwise I don't think Xhaka would be happy.

Leandro Trossard is ripping Jeremie Frimpong to shreds on the left-hand side.

He skins the Dutchman again and drives towards the area. He sports Martin Odegaard lurking and fires a stinging ball into him.

But the Norweigan's finish is not a good one.

I feel another goal is on its way.

Leandro Trossard breaks well down the left and works the ball over to Martin Odegaard.

The captain decides to have a crack but the ball is blocked by Jonathan Tah on its way to goal.

Leverkusen just can't cope with the Gunners' directness at the minute.

Bayer Leverkusen don't know what's hit them.

They need to pull off a Tyson Fury in this game and get up off the canvas if they are to come back into this.

It doesn't look like it will happen, they are all over the place. Arsenal have been pinning them back with regularity.

Still time, though...

There hasn't been a goal in three minutes, what is going on?

Those two minutes took me completely by surprise, the game was offering nothing before that.

Both strikes were superb in very different ways, great football.

Two in two minutes!

The goals are coming like London buses for Arsenal as Leandro Trossard doubles their lead.

The Gunners work the ball neatly in the area and into the feet of Trossard, who bides his time before stroking the ball home. Bayer Leverkusen are stunned.

That is an absolute stunner from Oleksandr Zinchenko!

The Ukranian full-back sparks this game into life with a corker form outside the area.

Kai Havertz plays the ball across the edge of the area, Martin Odegaard decides to leave it for Zinchenko who wallops it into the bottom corner.

What a way to open the scoring.

Some Arsenal fans try and get the atmosphere going with a chant of 'Red Army', but it doesn't work.

It does feel rather flat at the Emirates today, I must admit.

I thought their first match back in north London would bring a bit more buzz.

Both teams seem to be finding their feet early on.

The pace may start slow, but as the match gets going, the action will come.

Well, I hope it does anyway.

North London Forever is sung, and now we are underway.

Can Arsenal get the victory on home soil and bounce back from that Liverpool loss?

We are about to find out.

There is a big cheer as Arsenal arise from the Emirates tunnel for the first time this summer.

Now there is some Fatboy Slim playing over the speakers and even I am getting amped up.

Right Here, Right Now. What a tune.

Anyway, enough of me fawning over the music, it's nearly time for the Gunners to take on Bayer Leverkusen.

Kick-off is moments away.

Oh dear...

Jurrien Timber just has no luck with injuries, does he?

The Dutch defender missed the majority of last season due to a serious knee injury.

And now it seems he has had a setback on the eve of the new campaign, according to reports.

It might not be too serious, but he will be gutted still.

The Emirates is really starting to fill up.

Just look at the smile on this lady's face, she is buzzing to be back at the Emirates.

There is no better feeling than the start of a new season, and this pre-season game will feel a little bit like that.

There will be plenty of happy faces in north London today.

Oooh, Arsenal's warm-up shirts are snazzy!

The Gunners are now going through the motions of their warm-up as kick-off approaches.

And they are doing it stylishly. I'm not an Arsenal fan but I would wear that jumper as a fashion statement.

To be blunt, he is still not here.

Well, he is at the Emirates, but he has not been selected in Arsenal's squad today.

Mikel Arteta is staying patient with the summer signing, it seems he will be ready to play against Lyon on Sunday.

But today is not the day. You have to be patient, Arsenal fans.

Now this is an interesting dilemma for Mikel Arteta.

The battle between Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli for the left-wing position in the team is a big one.

Both are brilliant, but only one can start.

Mikel Arteta has gone for Trossard today, is that a sign of things to come?

The Belgian started the majority of the matches toward the end of last season, and certainly impressed.

I feel he will be Arteta's go-to man this season too.

Happy, Arsenal fans?

I bet you all are. Two of the Gunners' best players have returned to take their place on the bench today. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

After having a few weeks off, they will need to get back up to scratch, but it's still a major boost to Mikel Arteta.

Saka is smiling too - that's always good to see.

The return of Granit Xhaka.

I bet he nearly walked into the home dressing room upon his arrival due to the force of habit.

But Xhaka will be donning the colours of Bayer Leverkusen today against his old club.

It will feel very weird for him, surely?

Xabi Alonso is not holding back either.

Bayer Leverkusen have not come to the Emirates to mess about, they mean business.

After impressing at Euro 2024, the crown jewel in the German side, Florian Wirtz, has returned.

Granit Xhaka also starts at the ground he called home for several years.

Now this is a strong line-up.

The time for tinkering with the starting 11 is over for Mikel Arteta, he is going for it today.

David Raya is back from holiday and straight in between the sticks.

William Saliba returns too to re-from his partnership with Gabriel at the back.

Also, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are on the bench, nearly a month after their disappointment in Berlin.

I suspect this will be a similar line-up to the one that will play against Wolves on the opening day.

Oh, it must feel good to be back home.

Just look at the smile on Mikel Arteta's face as he leads his Arsenal side into the Emirates.

The Spaniard has named his side to take on Bayer Leverkusen tonight, but who has he picked?

You will know in just a couple of minutes...

Ohhhhh, it feels good to be back!

After covering game, after game, after game in the United States, the action is finally back in the beautiful UK.

What's great about that is it's actually being played at a normal time. Hurrah!

It's a cracker of a game too. Arsenal take on reigning German Champions Bayer Leverkusen in the Emirates Cup.

With pre-season now on its last legs, games are getting more, and more, competitive. Don't expect this one to be friendly.

Right, let's get this show on the road then, shall we?