Arsenal 6-0 Sevilla – 3 talking points as Gunners hit Sevilla for six

Arsenal beat Sevilla 6-0 in the Emirates Cup final with Gabriel Jesus again the star with three goals.

If this is what we, as Arsenal fans, can look forward to this season, sign me up. On a sun-soaked Emirates, the Gunners blew their Spanish opponents out of the water in a devastating nine-minute spell that yielded four goals.

Gabriel Jesus netted his first hat trick for the club, Bukayo Saka scored a neat brace, and Eddie Nketiah scored yet again to complete the rout.

The win caps off an excellent preseason for Mikel Arteta’s side as attention now turns to Crystal Palace next week in the opening Premier League game at Selhurst Park.

The game provided plenty of talking points; here they are.

Gabriel Jesus is on another level

Something that we already knew, right? The Brazilian has been nearly unplayable since swapping Manchester for London, and on Saturday, he was at his brilliant best.

The Gunners’ number nine was in everything. His link-up with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli had Sevilla in fits. He dropped deep to get on the ball and then sprung forward to get involved with the Arsenal attack.

His three goals were all well taken as he continued his hot streak in front of goal. Two of which were classic poachers finishes, while another he was stretching from a Gabriel Martinelli pass and cushioned it perfectly first time and into the net.

Much has been made of his arrival, and it is clear that he has brought Arsenal up a level and completely transformed the Gunners’ attack.

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William Saliba again impressive

Personally speaking, the 21-year-old has been just as good as the Gabriel Jesus signing. Since his first start this preseason, the Frenchman has not done wrong. While it is only preseason, Saliba has been head and shoulders above his opponents.

Against Sevilla, again, he was a calming influence at the back. He took possession quickly and moved the ball on, covered when he needed to, and was a rock at the back.

He is developing a good understanding with Gabriel in the heart of Arsenal’s defense, and it is worth asking the question if Ben White gets his job back when Takehiro Tomiyasu is fully fit.

Saliba has been world-class in every game he has played so far and shows no signs of dropping off. His true test will come against Crystal Palace in what will be a truly testing environment, but after what we have seen so far, he will be just fine.

Saliba has been like a brand new signing and one that has seemingly calmed everything down at the back. At this stage, his spot in the team is not under threat from anyone.

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Arteta-ball a thing of beauty

Arsenal’s six-goal hammering of Sevilla was a joy to watch. Mikel Arteta has the team humming right now, and we can go into the opening game of the Premier League season confident of getting three points.

On Saturday, Arsenal’s pressing and high-octane style was overwhelming. Their Spanish counterparts were rendered useless like Chelsea was a week ago.

There was no room to breathe, let alone play football, and this was evident when Sevilla’s goalkeeper Bono was trying to play out from the back, was hurried, and his clearance found its way to Saka in front of goal and the winger simply slotted home with ease.

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We have seen this style of football work consistently now, and when the whole team is in unison, they are nearly unplayable. On Saturday, Sevilla couldn’t cope.

Remember that this side was one of the best teams defensively last season in all European leagues, and Arsenal obliterated them.

The pace, movement, intensity, and pressing were of the highest caliber as the Gunners were too hot to handle.

Bring on Crystal Palace.