The pre-season friendly between Arsenal FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen on August 7, 2024, at the Emirates Stadium in London provided a valuable opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their tactics and assess their squad depth ahead of the upcoming season. Arsenal emerged as the dominant side, securing a comfortable 4-1 victory, with impressive performances across the board.
The match showcased Arsenal’s attacking prowess and defensive solidity, while Bayer Leverkusen faced challenges in both breaking down their opponent’s defense and creating meaningful chances. This article will break down the starting lineups, tactical approaches, and individual player performances that shaped the result.
Arsenal FC Starting Lineup
Under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal set up in a 4-3-3 formation, which allowed them to dictate the tempo of the game and dominate possession. This formation has been a hallmark of Arteta’s philosophy, focusing on balance between defense and attack.
Goalkeeper: David Raya (22)
Defenders: Ben White (4), William Saliba (2), Gabriel Magalhães (6), Oleksandr Zinchenko (17)
Midfielders: Jorginho (20), Martin Ødegaard (8, Captain), Kai Havertz (29)
Forwards: Fabio Vieira (21), Gabriel Jesus (9), Leandro Trossard (19)
The lineup featured a mix of creativity, experience, and dynamism, with Ødegaard and Havertz providing control in the midfield, while Vieira, Jesus, and Trossard added pace and attacking verve. Defensively, Saliba and Gabriel formed a solid central partnership, with Zinchenko offering width and technical ability on the left.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen Starting Lineup
Leverkusen, under manager Xabi Alonso, opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation, which is designed to provide defensive solidity with three central defenders, while allowing Frimpong and Bakker to push up as wing-backs. This setup also focused on controlling the midfield through the presence of Xhaka and García, with Wirtz and Terrier tasked with creating from advanced positions.
Goalkeeper: Lukas Hradecky (1)
Defenders: Odilon Kossounou (22), Jonathan Tah (4), Piero Hincapié (3)
Midfielders: Jeremie Frimpong (30), Granit Xhaka (34), Aleix García (8), Mitchel Bakker (29)
Attacking Midfielders: Florian Wirtz (27), Martin Terrier (7)
Forward: Amine Adli (11)
While the formation was intended to offer Leverkusen a strong defensive core, the isolated nature of Adli in the lone forward position, combined with the lack of creativity from Wirtz and Terrier, left the team with limited attacking threat. The setup struggled to break down Arsenal’s defense and lacked the necessary support to penetrate the final third.
Match Highlights: Arsenal’s Dominance
First Half
From the very first whistle, Arsenal asserted their dominance in the match. Zinchenko opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a well-timed run into the box, finishing off a precise pass to give Arsenal the early advantage. Just minutes later, Trossard doubled the lead with a clinical finish in the 9th minute, exploiting Leverkusen’s defensive vulnerabilities. Arsenal’s high press and fast attacking transitions left Leverkusen scrambling to cope with the pace and fluidity of the game.
Gabriel Jesus further extended Arsenal’s lead in the 38th minute with a composed finish after a brilliant piece of individual skill, showcasing his clinical ability and composure in front of goal. At 3-0, the game seemed well beyond Leverkusen, with Arsenal controlling the match through their pressing and quick passing game.
Second Half
The second half saw more of the same as Arsenal continued to dominate. In the 65th minute, Kai Havertz added a fourth goal to seal the victory, further proving his integration into the team as a dynamic presence in midfield and attack.
Despite the commanding scoreline, Bayer Leverkusen managed to pull one back in the 76th minute through Adam Hlozek, who finished off a well-worked move. While this goal provided a brief glimmer of hope, it came far too late to mount a real challenge to Arsenal’s superiority.
Tactical Analysis
Arsenal FC’s 4-3-3 Formation
The 4-3-3 setup employed by Arsenal was perfectly suited to their possession-based, high-pressing style. The midfield trio of Jorginho, Ødegaard, and Havertz provided a solid balance between defensive stability and attacking creativity. Ødegaard in particular was instrumental in orchestrating the tempo of the match, linking defense to attack with incisive passes.
The attacking trio of Vieira, Jesus, and Trossard was fluid and versatile. They interchanged positions frequently, stretching the Leverkusen defense and creating space for each other. The pace and movement of Trossard and Jesus were key in exploiting Leverkusen’s high defensive line.
Defensively, Saliba and Gabriel formed a rock-solid partnership, neutralizing the threat of Adli and keeping Wirtz and Terrier under control. Zinchenko’s technical ability allowed him to support both in attack and defense, offering width while also coming inside to form a more compact shape in possession.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s 3-4-2-1 Formation
Leverkusen’s 3-4-2-1 formation, while designed to be defensively stable, ultimately failed to provide the necessary attacking support. Frimpong and Bakker as wing-backs were tasked with getting forward, but they were often pinned back by Arsenal’s high press and the dynamism of Arsenal’s forwards.
Xhaka and García were supposed to dominate the midfield, but they struggled to break down Arsenal’s possession game and were often outnumbered.
Up front, Adli was isolated, with little support from Wirtz and Terrier, who failed to make a significant impact. The result was a lack of creativity in the final third, and a difficulty in creating clear-cut chances. Arsenal’s compact defensive setup prevented Leverkusen from exploiting the wide areas effectively.
Player Performances
Arsenal FC
Gabriel Jesus: A standout performer, Jesus showcased his clinical finishing and creative flair, scoring a brilliant solo goal and providing much-needed movement up front.
Leandro Trossard: His pace and link-up play were crucial in Arsenal’s attacking transitions. Trossard was involved in several of Arsenal’s goals and created numerous chances.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães: The central defensive pairing was resolute, keeping Leverkusen’s attacking players at bay with ease.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Florian Wirtz: Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Wirtz was largely contained by Arsenal’s midfield and defense. He was unable to impose his will on the game.
Granit Xhaka: Xhaka’s experience was evident in midfield, but he lacked the support needed to control the tempo and link up play effectively.
Lukas Hradecky: The goalkeeper made several crucial saves but was ultimately overwhelmed by Arsenal’s attacking pressure.
In Closing
The pre-season friendly between Arsenal FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen was a comprehensive display of Arsenal’s attacking depth and tactical coherence under Mikel Arteta. The team’s 4-1 victory highlighted their fluid, possession-based style of play, while Leverkusen struggled to find solutions both defensively and offensively.
As the season approaches, Arsenal’s strong performance should boost their confidence, while Leverkusen will need to address their creative and defensive issues if they are to challenge for honors in the upcoming campaign.
FAQs
Q: What is the current lineup for Arsenal F.C. in their matches?
A: Arsenal F.C. has been in great form under manager Mikel Arteta, and their lineup typically features a mix of youth and experience. The starting XI usually includes Aaron Ramsdale as the goalkeeper, with Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba at the heart of defense. Kieran Tierney and Ben White often play as full-backs, providing width. In midfield, Martin Ødegaard serves as the creative spark alongside Thomas Partey, who is crucial for defensive solidity. Up front, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Eddie Nketiah are the primary attacking options, with Gabriel Jesus making a return from injury to bolster the attack. The formation Arteta prefers is typically a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1, depending on the opponent and tactical needs.
Q: What is the current lineup for Bayer 04 Leverkusen in their matches?
A: Bayer 04 Leverkusen, managed by Xabi Alonso, has been playing an exciting, attacking brand of football this season. Their lineup often includes Lukas Hradecky as the goalkeeper, with a defensive line featuring Jeremie Frimpong and Mitchel Bakker as full-backs. In central defense, Jonathan Tah and Edmond Tapsoba form a solid partnership. In midfield, Charles Aránguiz and Exequiel Palacios provide stability, while Florian Wirtz is the playmaker, offering creativity and vision. The attack usually features the pace of Moussa Diaby and the physicality of Patrik Schick, with Sardar Azmoun also offering an option up front. Leverkusen tends to play with a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, focusing on high pressing and quick transitions.
Q: Who are the key players for Arsenal F.C. in their matchup against Bayer Leverkusen?
A: Arsenal’s key players in a match against Bayer Leverkusen would likely include Bukayo Saka, who is one of the best young talents in world football, providing pace and creativity in attack. Gabriel Martinelli is another crucial player, known for his work rate and ability to score goals. Thomas Partey offers defensive stability in midfield, while Martin Ødegaard provides vision and assists in the final third. Gabriel Jesus, once fully fit, is a major threat in the attacking third, capable of scoring and creating opportunities. Defensively, William Saliba has been exceptional, and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is reliable between the posts, making key saves when required.
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