Arsenal End Pre-Season in Style with 3-0 Win Over Athletic Club
Arsenal wrapped up their pre-season in perfect fashion with a commanding 3-0 victory over Athletic Club at the Emirates, a result that also secured them the Emirates Cup. The evening belonged to Viktor Gyökeres, who finally opened his Arsenal account after his £63.5 million move from Sporting CP. His goal came in the 35th minute, a powerful header into the bottom corner after meeting an inch-perfect cross from new midfield arrival Martin Zubimendi. The celebration was pure theatre — his trademark routine sending the home crowd into raptures.
Barely two minutes later, the Gunners were celebrating again. Gyökeres, already showing sharp link-up play, cushioned the ball into Declan Rice’s path. A deft ball forward allowed Gabriel Martinelli to draw out the keeper, and from there Bukayo Saka had the simplest of finishes to make it 2-0.
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The second half saw Arsenal continue to control the tempo, with Gyökeres almost grabbing his second from a Noni Madueke cross, only for Unai Simón to push the header onto the post. His afternoon ended on 70 minutes to warm applause, replaced by Kai Havertz — who wasted no time making an impact. Seizing on a loose ball near halfway, the German surged forward, brushed aside the final challenge, and drilled his finish across the keeper into the far corner for 3-0.
Manager Mikel Arteta was quick to praise his new striker, warning Premier League defences that Gyökeres’ instinctive movement and physicality would cause chaos all season. But while the Swede stole headlines, Zubimendi quietly impressed, dictating play with composure, threading precise passes, and showing defensive bite. His partnership with Rice and captain Martin Ødegaard already hints at a midfield capable of both control and unpredictability.
There was more good news for Arsenal fans beyond the scoreline. Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Magalhães, and Riccardo Calafiori all returned from injury to start, bolstering defensive depth ahead of the season opener. The only absentees of note were Leandro Trossard, still recovering from a muscle problem, and Gabriel Jesus, sidelined long-term with an ACL injury.
This victory rounded off a mixed pre-season — wins over AC Milan and Newcastle, a narrow loss to Tottenham, a high-scoring defeat to Villarreal, and now a dominant display against Athletic. But with the squad looking stronger, new signings settling in, and attacking options firing, the signs are promising.
Now, the focus shifts to Old Trafford next Sunday, where Arsenal will face Manchester United in their Premier League curtain-raiser. Whether it’s Gyökeres or Havertz leading the line, Arsenal will arrive in Manchester with confidence high, their new signings integrated, and their ambitions for the 2025/26 campaign firmly set.
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