The Gunners at the Top: Victor Gyokeres stars in Arsenal's 5-0 rout of Leeds United
Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates after scoring a goal against Leeds United on August 23, 2025. Photo/Videograb
Arsenal fans had waited all week to see if their new striker was worth the hype.
By full-time at the Emirates on Saturday, they had their answer.
Viktor Gyökeres scored twice in a 5–0 rout of Leeds, silencing critics who thought he was going to be another expensive flop.
The Swedish forward, who barely got a sniff of goal against Manchester United last weekend, looked like a different man in the second half. First, he danced through defenders to score a solo beauty. Later, he coolly buried a penalty. Cue the Emirates roar.
Not to be outdone, Jurrien Timber turned into an unlikely goal machine. The defender grabbed two from corners and even assisted Bukayo Saka’s opener. Timber walked off with man of the match, though Gyökeres ran him close.
And then there was the story everyone will remember: 15-year-old Max Dowman. Making his full Premier League debut, the teenager didn’t hide. He sprayed passes, beat men, and even won a last-minute penalty. The Emirates crowd loved every touch.
New signing Eberechi Eze also popped up before kick-off, waving to fans from the stands like a pop star cameo. Arsenal’s summer business looks serious.
Still, the day wasn’t all smiles. Both Martin Ødegaard and Saka limped off injured. Ødegaard hurt his shoulder; Saka’s hamstring looked worse. With Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Ben White already sidelined, Mikel Arteta may need to call on his kids again when Liverpool roll into town.
But for now, Arsenal are flying high at the top of the table — part of a London takeover. After Saturday’s results, the top three are all from the capital: Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.
Elsewhere, Chelsea edged Brentford 2–1 in a lively west London derby, Tottenham kept pace with a 3–1 win at Wolves, and Manchester City were held 1–1 by Brighton, a result that underlined the London clubs’ grip on the early title race.
Arsenal are at the top of the table with six(6) points, followed by Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea who close the top-three.
