It did not take long for Mikel Arteta’s men to start imposing themselves on their newly promoted opposition.
Alexandre Lacazatte put his side on the front foot just eight minutes into the match after the opposition defense failed to clear their lines. Willian got his first assist for Arsenal just after eight minutes.
Gabriel Magalhaes could not have asked for a better debut as he managed to get his name on the score-sheet later on in the 49th minute. The Brazilian defender rose to meet a cross from Willian, another debutant, before firing home to double Arsenal’s lead.
It was none other than skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who put the game to bed. Aubameyang, after controlling a lovely cross-field ball from Willian, curled the ball across to send it past Marek Rodak.
Brazilian pair Willian and Gabriel were simply in top form but it was the latter who won the man of the match.
Arsenal boss Mikel Areta heaped praise on the Brazilian defender who put in a good shift despite a long time with no football.
“Yeah they’ve been training very well, for Gabi it was a big challenge to come into this small ground in the Premier League,” Arteta said after the game.
“Gabi did really well, I think he didn’t play for six months with everything that happened in France. For the new guys more than any again I think was brilliant today.”
Willian’s double assist saw him become the first Arsenal player to set up two or more goals on his Premier League debut since 1992.
Up next for Arsenal is a home game against West Ham next Saturday.
