Arsenal’s Gyokeres grabs first Premier League goals in 5-0 thrashing of Leeds

LONDON: Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres netted his first two Premier League goals and defender Jurrien Timber scored twice as their side cruised to a 5-0 win over Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, though the loss of captain Martin Odegaard and winger Bukayo Saka to injury took off some of the shine.

Timber gave Arsenal the lead in the 34th minute with a superb glancing header from Declan Rice’s corner. He then played in Saka for the England international to score in first-half stoppage time to send the home side into the break 2-0 up.

Having joined Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon in July for a reputed 55 million pounds, Sweden international Gyokeres got the goal he so desperately desired with a cool finish three minutes after the break, and Timber added the fourth following another corner eight minutes later.

Teenage debutant Max Dowman won a penalty for Arsenal that Gyokeres fired home to make it 5-0 and only the departures of Odegaard and Saka through injury clouded what was otherwise a superb home opener for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Tottenham win at City

Separately, Tottenham Hotspur continued their impressive recent Premier League record at Manchester City with a 2-0 win on Saturday as Joao Palhinha took advantage of a goalkeeping blunder by James Trafford and Brennan Johnson also scored.

Spurs, who have now won three of their last five league games at the Etihad, maintained their unbeaten start under manager Thomas Frank following an opening 3-0 win over Burnley.

“We know it’s always difficult to play against City, here at Etihad even more,” Frank said. “The clean sheet makes me very happy, it’s a big thing we’ve been working on, the defensive side of the game. Last year we had six clean sheets, so yeah, very big for me.”

Crystal Palace’s Eze returns to Arsenal

Arsenal have completed the signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, it was announced Saturday, with the England international returning to his boyhood club.

Crystal Palace narrowly defeat Fredrikstad in Conference League

No fee was disclosed but Eze has signed a four-year contract in a deal that could be worth up to £68 million ($92 million) after Arsenal scuppered Eze’s proposed move to their arch north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

“We are absolutely delighted to bring Eberechi to Arsenal,” said Gunners manager Mikel Arteta.