Arsenal continued their fine form into the third game of the season against Bournemouth, running out 3-0 winners.
There was plenty to learn from the game, but what five things stood out above all else?
1 - Jesus' physicality is freakishly good
The speed of thought and movement was apparent even before Arsenal got their hands on the talismanic Brazilian.
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However, the sheer physical strength of the forward is a sight to behold. For the Gunners opener, he plucked the ball out the sky, whilst rag-dolling the imposing larger Bournemouth defender.
This isn't the first time the no.9 has done this, bullying Leicester defender Evans in a similar duel.
Arteta emphasised in ‘All or Nothing’ the importance of winning duels, and the 25-year-old is an extraordinaire in that field.
2 - Saka's performances are going under the radar
Much has been made of the alleged ‘slow’ start to the season that the 20-year-old has had, however, this is far from reality.
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Saka is a core tenant of the attack, holding width as Jesus and Martinelli often rotate in the left half space.
The consequence has been an early season hit on his G/A output, however, his performances remain as stellar as ever.
His mere presence draws defenders towards him, allowing for a quick switch of play and overloads on the left.
Ben White also helped with his overlapping runs against Bournemouth, meaning Saka was more involved than he had been on his previous two outings this season.
3 - Saliba is special
Every game thus far this season has brought Gunners fans to the same conclusion, the young Frenchman is a phenomenon.
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His 100% pass accuracy for the game is the tip of the iceberg, his quality transcends that.
There is an aura, an arrogance to the way he plays, as though any attacker that come near him is living a delusion, having the audacity to challenge him.
Invariably, those who challenge the 21-year-old in a duel lose, with the Frenchman galloping away with the ball gracefully.
Saliba’s goal was a culmination of his excellence, his quality encapsulated in goal-scoring form, caressing the ball off his weaker foot into the top corner.
4 - Zinchenko cannot be defined
One second he’s left back, the next in the right half space, the one after between the two central defenders.
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The versatility of the Ukrainian is a core tenant of how Arteta’s side plays, his is the metronome operating where he sees fit.
Such fluidity is thanks in large part to Granit Xhaka, who occupies whichever space it is that Zinchenko vacates, meaning that the overall system is still structurally sound.
Arteta spoke of ‘Pausa’ in the most recent episodes of ‘All or Nothing’, and Zinchenko is the living, breathing definition of it.
5 - Arsenal are an incomplete work of art
The first half was mesmeric, pure footballing genius from all eleven players beneath the Bournemouth sun.
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However, an all too common theme is standards slipping in the second half, conceding possession to the opposition, lacking control of the game.
In this instance, Bournemouth were toothless, incapable of creating chances their ball dominance necessitated.
Unfortunately, other teams in the Premier League won’t show such mercy, and will tear apart such laxadical ball control.
The Gunners boss has spoken of a want to control games for the full 90 minutes, so the lack of dominance is clearly not a tactical decision.
It is the players needing to take responsibility, to slow the game down, draw the life out of the opposition, causing death by one thousand passes.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Bournemouth, Premier League, William Saliba
