A Dominant Display at the EmiratesFrom the outset, Arsenal asserted their dominance, controlling 68% of possession and generating an expected goals (xG) figure of 2.82. The Gunners hammered Leeds’ goal with 18 attempts, five of which were on target, while recording 32 touches in the opposition box compared to Leeds’ meager six. Arteta’s tactical blueprint—combining incisive attacking play with a compact defensive structure was executed to perfection, as Arsenal capitalized on set-pieces and clinical finishing to dismantle their opponents. The scoring began in the 34th minute when Declan Rice delivered a pinpoint cross, met by a towering header from Jurrien Timber to break the deadlock. Just before halftime, Bukayo Saka doubled Arsenal’s lead with a composed finish, capping a fluid team move. The second half saw Arsenal pick up where they left off, with Viktor Gyokeres firing a low right-footed shot into the near post in the 48th minute to make it 3-0. Timber added his second goal of the match, nodding in a well-worked set-piece, before Gyokeres sealed the rout with a 95th-minute penalty. Injuries Cast a Shadow Despite the resounding victory, Arsenal’s joy was tempered by injuries to two of their star players. Captain Martin Odegaard was forced off in the first half with a shoulder issue, replaced by the promising Ethan Nwaneri. Later, in the second half, Saka limped off with a suspected hamstring injury, adding to Arsenal’s growing injury concerns. With Kai Havertz already sidelined, Arteta will be hoping for swift recoveries as the Gunners aim to maintain their early-season momentum. Standout Performers: Timber and Calafiori Shine Jurrien Timber was the standout performer, scoring twice and providing an assist for Saka’s goal. The Dutch defender’s commanding display marked a historic moment, as he became the first Arsenal defender since Nacho Monreal (January 2018) to be directly involved in three or more goals in a single Premier League match. Timber now boasts three goals and four assists in 34 Premier League appearances, underscoring his growing importance to Arteta’s system. Riccardo Calafiori, who scored the decisive goal against Manchester United in the opener, continued his fine form with two assists against Leeds. The Italian defender set up Gyokeres’ third goal and Timber’s fourth, bringing his assist tally to three in 21 Premier League appearances, alongside three goals. The partnership between Timber and Calafiori highlights Arsenal’s defensive depth and their ability to contribute in attack. Saka and Gyokeres Make History Bukayo Saka, despite his injury, reached a significant milestone with his 54th Premier League goal in his 197th appearance, bringing his total goal involvements to 99 (54 goals, 45 assists). Across all competitions, Saka has now netted 71 goals in 265 appearances for Arsenal, cementing his status as one of the club’s brightest stars .Viktor Gyokeres also etched his name into the history books, becoming only the second player to score two or more goals on his home Premier League debut for Arsenal, following Gabriel Jesus’ brace against Leicester in August 2022. Gyokeres’ clinical finishing, including his penalty, underlined his growing influence in Arsenal’s attack. A Historic Debut for Max Dowman The match also saw a remarkable moment for Arsenal’s academy, as 15-year-old Max Dowman made his Premier League debut at 15 years and 235 days old. According to Opta, Dowman became the third-youngest player to appear in a Premier League match, joining teammate Ethan Nwaneri (15y 181d vs. Brentford, September 2022) and Leicester’s Jeremy Monga (15y 271d vs. Newcastle, April 2025). Dowman’s cameo is a testament to Arsenal’s commitment to nurturing young talent under Arteta’s guidance. Arsenal Climb to the Top The victory propelled Arsenal to the top of the Premier League standings, level on six points with Tottenham but ahead on goal difference. Leeds, with one win and one defeat, sit 11th in the table. Arsenal’s early-season form, characterized by clinical attacking play, set-piece proficiency, and defensive resilience, has sent a strong message to their rivals. Looking Ahead While the 5-0 thrashing of Leeds showcased Arsenal’s title credentials, the injuries to Saka and Odegaard will test the squad’s depth in the coming weeks. Arteta will need to rely on the likes of Nwaneri, Gyokeres, and his defensive duo of Timber and Calafiori to maintain their winning run. With a favorable run of fixtures ahead, Arsenal have an opportunity to solidify their position at the summit of the Premier League. This emphatic win not only highlights Arsenal’s attacking prowess and defensive solidity but also underscores their ambition to challenge for the Premier League title in the 2025-26 season. However, managing their injury concerns will be crucial if the Gunners are to sustain their early momentum and compete on all fronts.

Eberechi Eze was given a hero’s welcome by the supporters at Emirates Stadium before kickoff against Leeds United. The expensive signing thrives as an attacking midfielder or featuring on the left, where he’ll be odds-on favorite to start over Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli. Arsenal’s depth in attack in remarkably strong this season. Recent injuries to Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard will see Eze in the starting line up immediately, the stars are aligned for him to succeed at Arsenal. The 27-year-old is an elite dribbler who thrives in 1v1 situations and appears as happy to set up a goal as he is to deposit one himself.

Ronaldo put Al Nassr ahead with 41st-minute penalty, his 100th goal for the club, having also brought up the same milestone at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus. Franck Kessie, who scored twice in the semifinal, levelled deep into first-half stoppage time. Al Nassr led for the second time in the contest with just eight minutes of normal time remaining, Marcelo Brozovic curling beyond Edouard Mendy after Kessie lost possession. But there was a sting in the tail int the 89th minute when Roger Ibanez powered home a header. With no extra time, the game went straight to penalties. Specialists Toney and Ronaldo got their sides underway with cool conversions. Everyone held their nerve until Mendy denied Abdullah Al-Khaibari. That gave Galeno the chance to seal the trophy for Al Ahli and he made no mistake. Cristiano Ronaldo suffered more final heartache as Al Ahli extended his wait for Al Nassr silverware in the Saudi Super Cup final. Source: sportingnews

Thomas Frank’s Tottenham were relatively unchallenged when defeating Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium. A 4-0 victory over Wolves in Gameweek One of the Premier League implied that Man City had overcome their 2024/25 struggles, but their immobility in transitions and unreliability when building out of defence have showed at the Etihad in Gameweek Two. While many expected Thomas Frank to opt for a 5-3-2 system against Man City – as we saw in their Super Cup matchup against Paris Saint-Germain – he stuck with the 4-3-3 setup that saw his side cruise to victory over Burnley a week ago. After an uneventful opening 35 minutes, Richarlison put the ball on a plate for Brennan Johnson – who calmy converted past the imposing James Trafford. The linesman’s flag rose, but a VAR check concluded that the Brazilian was onside in the build-up, handing Spurs a 1-0 lead. It took just over 10 minutes for Frank’s side to double their lead, and it wasn’t so much Tottenham’s brilliance, but Man City’s incompetence. Pape Matar Sarr leached onto Trafford’s lacklustre pass to Nico Gonzalez, with the ball landing at the feet of Richarlison. Despite his best efforts to take it round the goalkeeper and guide the ball home, Trafford’s hand lead the way for Joao Palhinha to have a shot at goal – emphatically firing home. Man City probed in the second half, and came close on occasions, but Guglielmo Vicario was rarely put to the test – with the usually prolific Norwegian brute Erling Haaland unable to register a shot on target. A perfect start to Thomas Frank’s Tottenham reign, brushing aside Pep Guardiola’s Man City in assertive fashion. Soure: bet365news

Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was not included in the matchday squad, appeared to bid farewell to the Parc des Princes in an emotional moment with PSG’s ultras that further fuels speculation surrounding his future, as talks over a potential move to Manchester City continue. Donnarumma joined his team-mates on the pitch following the final whistle, casually dressed in jeans and a hoodie. As the players made their way across the pitch to salute the supporters, Donnarumma was seen chatting with Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos and Fabian Ruiz. Then came a telling moment. Hakimi and Ruiz pushed Donnarumma gently forward until he was left standing alone inside the penalty area, directly in front of the Auteuil end where PSG’s ultras are based. What followed was a moving exchange — the ultras erupted into chants of support while Donnarumma applauded them in return, soaking in the ovation. The 26-year-old stood alone for more than 30 seconds, clapping and waving as the fans responded in kind. His team-mates eventually rejoined him, mobbing him in a show of affection. Donnarumma then climbed over the advertising boards to get closer to the fans and continued applauding, in what appeared to be a clear gesture of goodbye. Donnarumma is looking to the premier league as Man City appear as his next destination but that would only be possible if Ederson green lights a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray. Source: dailymail

Chelsea piled on the early season misery for West Ham and its under-fire manager Graham Potter by handing out a 5-1 thrashing in the Premier League on Friday, all without injured star Cole Palmer. Palmer pulled out of the team at the last minute after getting hurt in the warmup, before Chelsea went a goal down in the sixth minute at the Olympic Stadium after a long-range piledriver from Lucas Paqueta. It went quickly downhill from there for West Ham, which lost at promoted Sunderland 3-0 last weekend in the opening round and was beaten even more handsomely a week later. Chelsea had five different scorers — in Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah. Three of the goals came at corners, where West Ham’s marking was non-existent. After Caicedo poked in the fourth goal in the 54th minute after West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen flapped at an in-swinging corner, some home fans left the stadium. A trickle of departing supporters turned into a flood from the 58th when Chalaboh hooked home a shot from close range for another goal from a corner. Potter looked dejected on the sideline, with his position looking increasing uncertain after a poor end to last season by West Ham when the team finished 14th in the 20-team league. Source: newsday

Harry Kane scored a hat trick as Bayern Munich started its Bundesliga title defense with a 6-0 demolition of Leipzig on Friday. The Bavarian powerhouse dominated with the exception of a 15-minute spell after halftime when Antonio Nusa went close for the visitors. Nusa, who also had a goal ruled out, served to only rile more goals from Kane, who was supported by the outstanding Michael Olise, who scored two, and Luis Díaz, who got the other goal and set up two on his Bundesliga debut. Olise broke the deadlock in the 27th minute and Díaz had the home fans celebrating again five minutes later when he rifled the ball in off the underside of the crossbar after a well-worked move involving Kane and Serge Gnabry. Gnabry laid the ball off for Díaz with his heel. Olise got his second goal two minutes after that, facilitated by Gnabry who eased past two Leipzig defenders to set up the French winger. Olise was playing in a central role for Bayern because of Jamal Musiala’s injury-induced absence. Leipzig improved after the break, no doubt after a stern talk at halftime from new coach Ole Werner. Werner is one of six coaches making their Bundesliga debuts with new clubs this weekend. Source: apnews

Ruben Dias has committed his long-term future to Manchester City by signing a new deal contract to keep him at the Etihad until at least 2029. The new deal will see the Portugal international extend his stay at that club to nine years after signing for City from Benfica in 2020. Since making the switch, Dias has enjoyed a trophy-laden five-year spell at the club, winning 10 trophies, including a treble and an unprecedented four Premier League titles in a row. Speaking to City’s official website, Dias said: “I’m so proud to represent this great club. City are where I want to be – at the top of the sport, competing for trophies. The club’s ambition aligns perfectly with mine and as a footballer there is nothing better than that. “I want to thank my team-mates, Pep, Hugo, the coaching staff and everyone at the club. This is such a special place, and I am grateful every single day for the support I receive. Now the hard work begins, and I want to promise the fans that I will give everything to win more trophies and bring more success to City.” City director of football, Hugo Viana, added: “His performances over the past five years have been outstanding and he is a big reason why we have been so successful. Every time Rúben pulls on a City shirt, he gives his all for the badge and we are so happy to know he will be here for the next four years.” Source: skysports

Nemanja Matic has agreed to join Serie A side Sassuolo on a one-year deal. The Serbian veteran, who recently parted ways with Olympique Lyonnais, has accepted Sassuolo’s proposal, with the move aligning with his long-standing interest in playing in Serie A. Fabrizio Romano has given the transfer his trademark ‘here we go’, meaning the deal is all but done. The contract also includes an option to extend for a further season. Known for his composure and leadership in midfield, Matic adds experience to Sassuolo’s squad as he continues his career in Italy. Source: tribuna

Aston Villa are exploring the viability of a move to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea before the transfer window shuts. Jackson is available for transfer this month, but Chelsea’s £60m-plus valuation of the striker is believed to be out of Villa’s reach because of financial restrictions. That, however, has not stopped Villa examining whether they can structure a deal that would see Jackson reunite with manager Unai Emery, who is a big fan of the 24-year-old. Villa potentially face competition from Italy for Jackson if they pursue a move, while Newcastle United have been linked with a late move for the Senegal international. Despite selling Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle in a deal worth £43m and arranging a loan switch for Leon Bailey, Villa cannot spend big sums of money in the remaining weeks of the window. The club have been exploring the possibility of re-signing Marco Asensio from Paris St-Germain and are looking at other potential opportunities to strengthen their attack – including Jackson, whose Chelsea wages in the region of £100,000-a-week would not be out of Villa’s reach. Emery ideally wants to add another dimension to his attack with a player who can play alongside Ollie Watkins or in another position slightly behind him. Villa remain adamant that Watkins will not be sold to accommodate a new signing ahead of the transfer window closing. It would seem that the only option available to Villa would be to make an offer to Chelsea to take Jackson on loan with an obligation or option to sign him permanently. Chelsea have been adamant they do not want to send Jackson on loan, but the right structure might tempt them as time starts to run out in the transfer window. Newcastle signed left-back Lewis Hall on loan with an obligation to sign him permanently and a similar deal for Jackson may yet be considered in the absence of immediate permanent offers. Emery gave Jackson his big break at Villarreal and is understood to have remained a big admirer of the player, who has also spoken of his lasting affection for the Spaniard. Source: Yahoosports