Three Things We Learned after Arsenal thrashed Leeds on memorable day at Emirates 

Here's Ian Mills with his Arsenal series Three Things We Learned after Mikel Arteta's rampant Gunners thrashed sorry Leeds 

Eze, Gyokeres and goals galore make for a sensational start to our home campaign, however injury concerns arise over Odegaard and Saka as Anfield looms large.

Here are three things that stood out for Ian Mills who was at the Emirates on Saturday 

1 - Eze comes home

– last week the Gooner social media world went through several emotions – starting with Leandro Trossard reaching agreement on increased  wages yet no contract extension, to Eberechi Eze’s impending move to Sp*rs, to Kai Havertz’s knee injury to our stunning ‘hijack’ of Eze’s move as the boyhood Gooner completed his transfer to return home.

On arrival at the ground, we will told to take our seats by 515pm for an important announcement. Not long after Eze was introduced to the crowd and was visibly moved as supporters got their first glimpse of this mercurial talent in an Arsenal shirt since he was released by the club as a thirteen-year-old. Given his ability to play in so many positions he offers something truly different to what we already have in our squad.

The fact he was so coveted by our North London neighbours to the point that he actually phoned Mikel Arteta to ask if there was any chance he could move to Arsenal – only adds to the feelgood factor of his signing. His transfer has also quickly given birth to two songs that clearly highlight how we gazumped the Lliysh*tes to his signature. I am not allowed to put the full line in my column of one of these songs however suffice to say ‘f*** Tottenham, I am a Gooner now’ reverberated around the ground before, during and after the match.

2 - Gyokeres silences his critics

– talking of songs – our new Swedish striker has a catchy one of his own and having suffered from a lack of service in a quiet debut at Old Trafford, he scored his first competitive Gunners goals to ensure that his ode was sung heartily around the ground.

He had missed a good chance in the first half when he appeared to briefly lose his bearings - but three minutes into the second half he latched onto a fine pass from Riccardo Calafiori to run at the Leeds defence before firing low to Perri’s right and inside his near post.

He added his second as Max Dowman, on for an impressive cameo from the bench, was brought down for a penalty. At just 15 years of age, Dowman certainly does not lack confidence and could yet be the greatest ever talent to emerge from Hale End – which is high praise indeed. Gyokeres is Arsenal’s new first choice penalty taker and made no mistake from the spot.

After unveiling his ‘Bane’ celebration he also re-arranged his hairstyle in a less than subtle dig at those who suggested he touched his hair more times than the ball versus Manchester United. Those goals would have done him the power of good.

3 - Squad strength already being tested

– Jurrien Timber’s two goals and an assist did not go unnoticed as he laid further claim to the starting right back berth.  Bukayo Saka added a well taken goal just before half time, yet he pulled up early in the second half with what looked like a hamstring injury. By this point we had already lost Martin Odegaard to a shoulder problem before the interval.

Both look in danger of missing the crunch clash at Anfield next Sunday and of course Havertz is another big-name absentee for that fixture.

However, this squad now looks more ready to cope with such setbacks than any others in Arteta’s time in charge.

Eze is likely to make his Arsenal debut next week and Madueke could replace Saka with Nwaneri coming in for Odegaard. The likes of Mikel Merino and Gabi Martinelli did even get onto the pitch on Saturday.

It goes without saying that we need better luck with injuries than last season, yet this squad also has a genuine level of competition to it where any drop in form means someone else is ready to take your place.

PS: The last time we won 5-0 at home to Leeds we became The Invincibles – just saying.