Mikel Arteta was delighted with his side’s debutants as Arsenal thrashed an MLS All-Star team 5-0 in Washington D.C.
Arsenal began their pre-season tour of the United States with an emphatic win at Audi Field, as goals from Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Gabriel Martinelli and new signing Kai Havertz secured victory.
Arteta was pleased with the performance of his side after handing debuts to Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Austron Trusty.
“It was a great occasion and a great atmosphere. It was great to see so many Arsenal supporters filling the stadium,” Arteta told the club’s official website.
“We had some great moments in the game and some moments, especially in the first-half that weren’t that great, but we’re still very early in pre-season and it was great to see some debuts with Jurrien, Auston and Declan obviously, and I was really pleased in the end with the result.”
Arteta discussed the debut performance of Jurrien Timber, praising the Dutch defender for his aggression in duels and ability to adapt to different defensive roles.
“I think you’ve seen tonight that he’s a really versatile player, you can see him defend in those positions. He gives you the capacity to invert, to occupy different spaces. He’s so comfortable on the ball in that phase and he’s also got this aggression in the duels and that dynamism that I really like about him.
“You saw from the first action; he went and won the ball straight away on that duel and he was ready to go. He’s been like that in the last few days – he’s playing really well with the team, and I think he’s going to be a really important player for us.”
Arteta also spoke on Kai Havertz, who scored his first goal for the Gunners. The £65m arrival from Chelsea operated in an attacking midfield role, but Arteta believes the German will prove a versatile asset for his squad as the season progresses.
“I think, again, it’s one of the main qualities he has. He gives us something very different with his quality and size as well, when you have to beat the press for example and use him as a target man.
“So, we will see – for now, he’s playing in the attacking midfield position, but I’m sure throughout the season and throughout games as well, we’re going to have the options to play him in different positions.”
