Emirates Cup: Gabriel Jesus scores a hat-trick on his Arsenal debut as the Gunners thrash Sevilla
Gabriel Jesus scored three goals on his home debut as Arsenal defeated Sevilla 6-0 to win the Emirates Cup and raise anticipation for the upcoming Premier League season.
The Gunners’ new No.9, a £45 million summer signing from Manchester City, increased his pre-season tally in red and white to a hugely impressive seven goals in five matches with another brilliant performance in front of the home fans in north London on an emotional day that saw heartfelt tributes paid to Jose Antonio Reyes and the late Terry Neill.
In a terribly one-sided first half, Arsenal swept away their overawed Spanish opponents, who were some distance behind their hosts in terms of pre-season preparations, with Bukayo Saka and Jesus both notching braces in the space of nine minutes.
Saka sparked the early blitz from the penalty spot after Karim Rekik barged him down inside the box, with Jesus then blasting in from close range after connecting with Granit Xhaka down the left flank.
The scorching After being set up by his brilliant countrymen Gabriel Martinelli, Jesus scored his second goal in 60 seconds, slipping in at the back post.
Arsenal’s unrelenting speed, intensity, and high pressing caused a gaffe from LaLiga’s reigning goalkeeper of the year Yassine Bounou, who subsequently allowed Saka’s shot to go clean past him.
Arsenal, who had previously announced the appointment of 23-year-old Martin Odegaard as their new captain, were not satisfied with a 4-0 half-time lead, with Jesus completing his triple late on after Gabriel’s shot was amazingly pushed off the line by Bounou.
Substitute After being set up unselfishly by Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah blasted into an empty goal with two minutes remaining to seal the thrashing.
Arsenal finished their pre-season campaign with five wins from six games, with the only blemish on their record being a midweek loss by Brentford in which they played a seriously depleted squad.
Arteta’s players, who were pipped to a Champions League return by north London rivals Tottenham on the penultimate day of last season, appear more than ready to start the ground running when they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday night.