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We were back at the Emirates Stadium for the first time this season, and what a return it was.

Earlier on in the week, Arsenal had beaten Tottenham Hotspur to the signing of Eberechi Eze (Haha).. from Crystal Palace and he came out onto the pitch, and gave the fans a wave, just before kick-off. Unfortunately, he wasn’t registered in time, to play a part in this game. A truly amazing acquisition to the team, whose creativity, and unpredictability, will cause chaos to any opposition.

Arsenal faced a Leeds United team who were feeling confident, after their impressive opening day win, over Everton.

The early stages of the match went as expected, with Leeds United sitting deep, staying organised, and daring Arsenal to break them down. It seemed like we were in for a frustrating day, until we earned a corner in the 34^th minute, and Declan Rice put a sumptuous ball into the box, that Jurrien Timber glanced home, with a cleverly guided header.

1-0 to the Arsenal! The relief around the Emirates could not only be heard, but it could also be felt. Surprisingly though, after the goal, instead of going for the jugular, we slowed the tempo down. We frustratingly stroked the ball around in front of Leeds, never really troubling them, and a familiar anxiety grew amongst the Arsenal faithful. Flashbacks of us previously failing to break teams down, who defend in a low block, were now at the forefront of our minds.

Up steps the brilliant, the dependable, the most consistent, the “Star Boy” , Bukayo Saka. Declan Rice wins the ball back superbly, Zubimendi gathers, quickly passes it to Timber, who threaded a perfectly weighted pass through to Saka, and Saka with the angle against him, smashed the ball home with his right foot, and the ball was nestled in the net, all tucked up in bed, before the keeper could move. Right on the stroke of half-time too! The 46^th minute of the half, to be precise. A perfect time to score, and a perfect way to turn the aforementioned anxiety, into jubilation. Arsenal, 2-0 up.

Arsenal began the second half looking much lighter, the comfort of a two goal cushion, and Arteta’s half-time team talk, helped us up the tempo. The passing was slick, and incisive balls were played quicker, and with more purpose. We didn’t have to wait long to be rewarded for our purposeful, positive play, and in the 48^th minute, the reward tore the Emirates’ roof clean off, even though it was already open. Calafiori receives the ball just inside his own half, looks up, and plays a perfect first time ball over the top, into the path of Gyokeres, who chased the ball down in cheetah like fashion, and the ball submitted in his clutches, in gazelle like fashion.

Gyokeres, in his favoured starting position on the lefthand side, drove into the box, beat three Leeds defenders, and rifled the ball home, at the keeper’s near post. The stadium erupts, and the whole team runs to congratulate our new No.14, who was off the mark, with the unspoken promise, of more goals to come. Arsenal, 3-0 up.

The proverbial floodgates were well and truly open, and Leeds were drowning in Arsenal’s waves of attacking prowess, and were in desperate need of a lifeline, which wasn’t forthcoming.

In the 56^th minute Arsenal earned a corner, that was put into a dangerous area by Declan Rice, and causing pandemonium in the Leeds defence. Calafiori managed to somehow guide the ball into Timber’s path, who scrambled, and stretched, to toe the ball home. An unlikely brace, for the impressive, the colossal, the incomparable, Jurrien Timber. Arsenal, 4-0 up.

Arsenal in complete control, ring the changes in the 64^th minute, and though Mosquera, and Lewis-Skelly were introduced, the biggest cheer came for the introduction of Max Dowman.

I feel that the term “Wonder-Kid” is thrown around too casually, in the football world, but this is not the case, when describing the 15 year old, Max Dowman. The “Wonder-Kid” title is not only fitting, but it almost undersells his talent, and his ability to influence games.

I’m really trying to contain my excitement, because I don’t want to put too much pressure on a young player, but Max Dowman doesn’t make it easy, because he’s by far, one of the best young players I’ve ever seen. He’s positive, he’s direct, he glides past opposition players with ease, he invites fouls, and makes excellent decisions in the final third. He did more of the same in this latest cameo appearance, giving the Leeds left-back a torrid time, with his teasing dribbles. In the 93^rd minute, Downman runs at another petrified Leeds defender, driving into the box, and in the defender’s panic, he steps on Dowman’s foot. Dowman goes over, and the referee points to the spot. The “Wonder-Kid” earns his team a penalty.

Max Dowman plays with a strength, a fearlessness, and a maturity, way beyond his tender years, and I sincerely hope we see a lot more of him this season.

Ok, on now, to the penalty. Gyokeres confidently places the ball on the spot, takes a short run-up, and blasts the ball home, sending the keeper the wrong way in the process. A brace for our new striker, and we can brace ourselves, for a lot more where that came from. Arsenal, 5-0 up.

Injuries to Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka, took the shine off a sparkling performance, but we scored five goals, kept a clean sheet, and unveiled Eberechi Eze.

Home… There’s no place like it.