Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season with a ruthless 5-0 demolition of Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, but the celebrations were tempered by injuries to Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard.
New signing Viktor Gyökeres marked his home debut with a brace, including a stoppage-time penalty, while Jurrien Timber struck twice from set-pieces to underline the Gunners’ dominance.
Saka also got on the scoresheet with a stunning effort, but limped off in the second half holding his hamstring — a major concern for Mikel Arteta ahead of next weekend’s top-of-the-table clash with Liverpool.
Arsenal, who edged Manchester United 1-0 on the opening weekend, now sit top of the Premier League on goal difference, ahead of Tottenham.
The breakthrough came on 34 minutes when Timber rose to meet Declan Rice’s corner for only his third Arsenal goal.
Moments later, captain Ødegaard was forced off after landing awkwardly on his shoulder.
Saka quickly lifted the mood inside the Emirates with a thunderous right-foot strike from a tight angle, before Gyökeres announced himself with a powerful solo finish after racing onto Riccardo Calafiori’s pass.
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Leeds, who had once targeted the Swedish striker during his Coventry days, could only watch as Gyökeres showed the quality that persuaded Arsenal to spend £66m on him from Sporting Lisbon.
Timber grabbed his second after Leeds failed to clear another Rice delivery, forcing the ball home from close range.
The game ended in a fairytale moment as 15-year-old Max Dowman — the Premier League’s second-youngest ever player — won a penalty in stoppage time, converted coolly by Gyökeres for his second of the night.
The day had begun with excitement as new £60m arrival Eberechi Eze was unveiled to the fans after rejecting a move to rivals Tottenham.
But the sight of Ødegaard and Saka hobbling off ensured the emphatic win was tinged with anxiety.
Arsenal will now turn their focus to Anfield, where they face Liverpool in what could be an early title-shaping showdown.