Arsenal wrapped up their pre-season campaign in style with a commanding 3–0 victory over Spanish side Athletic Club at the Emirates Stadium, with new signing Viktor Gyökeres scoring his first goal for the club. The result capped off a promising summer for Mikel Arteta’s side, who now turn their attention to the Premier League opener with renewed optimism and attacking firepower.
For Gyökeres, it was a moment of personal triumph. The Swedish striker, signed from Sporting CP for £63.5 million earlier this summer, had endured a quiet debut against Villarreal just days earlier. That match ended in a disappointing defeat, and Gyökeres failed to find the net despite a few promising touches. But on his second appearance in front of the home crowd, he looked every bit the player Arsenal had invested in — powerful, intelligent, and clinical.
The breakthrough came midway through the first half. Arsenal had been probing patiently, with Martin Zubimendi — another summer arrival — pulling the strings in midfield. Zubimendi, who has quickly settled into Arteta’s system, found space on the right and delivered a sumptuous cross into the box. Gyökeres, timing his run to perfection, rose above his marker and powered a header past Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simón. The Emirates erupted as the ball nestled into the net, and Gyökeres wheeled away to perform his trademark celebration — arms outstretched, a wide grin on his face — for the first time in Arsenal colours.
The goal seemed to lift the entire team. Just two minutes later, Arsenal doubled their lead with a move that showcased the fluidity and understanding developing among the squad. Gyökeres, dropping deep to link play, cushioned a pass into the path of Declan Rice. The England international, who has grown in stature since his arrival from West Ham last season, clipped a clever ball forward to Gabriel Martinelli. Simón rushed off his line in an attempt to intercept, but Martinelli calmly squared the ball to Bukayo Saka, who tapped into an empty net.
It was a goal that highlighted Arsenal’s attacking depth and versatility. Gyökeres’ involvement in the build-up was particularly encouraging for Arteta, who has spoken about the need for his forwards to contribute beyond just goals. The Swede’s ability to hold up play, bring others into the attack, and make intelligent runs into space was evident throughout the afternoon.
After the break, Arsenal made several changes, with Noni Madueke coming on to add fresh legs and flair down the right flank. But it was Gyökeres who continued to steal the spotlight. His physicality and movement caused constant problems for Athletic’s back line, and his understanding with Saka and Martinelli grew with every passing minute.
One moment in particular stood out: Gyökeres used his strength to shield the ball from two defenders before flicking a deft pass into the path of Saka, who burst forward into space. The combination play was sharp and instinctive, suggesting that Arsenal’s new-look attack is beginning to gel ahead of the competitive season.
Gyökeres nearly added a second goal to his tally with a diving header from Madueke’s cross. The effort was destined for the bottom corner, but Simón produced a superb save, tipping the ball onto the post and out for a corner. It was a moment that drew applause from both sets of fans — a reminder of Simón’s quality and Gyökeres’ growing threat.
That chance proved to be Gyökeres’ final contribution of the afternoon, as he was replaced by Kai Havertz on the 70-minute mark. The German international, who has had a mixed spell at Arsenal since his move from Chelsea, made an immediate impact.
With Athletic pushing forward in search of a consolation, Havertz pounced on a loose ball near the halfway line and surged forward. His pace and balance took him past two defenders, and he held off a final challenge before slotting a low shot across Simón and into the bottom corner. It was a confident finish and a timely reminder of Havertz’s ability to influence games from midfield.
The goal sealed a comprehensive win for Arsenal and sent the Emirates crowd home buzzing with anticipation. Arteta, speaking after the match, praised his team’s performance and highlighted the contributions of his new signings.
“Viktor showed exactly why we brought him here,” Arteta said. “He’s strong, he’s smart, and he’s hungry to score goals. That header was top class, and his link-up play was excellent. It’s just the beginning for him.”
The manager also praised Zubimendi’s composure and Rice’s growing leadership role. “Martin is settling in really well. He’s calm on the ball and sees things others don’t. Declan continues to be a driving force in midfield — his pass for the second goal was brilliant.”
For Gyökeres, the goal marked a significant milestone. After a prolific season in Portugal, where he scored 29 goals in all competitions, the move to Arsenal represented a step up in both expectation and competition. But if his performance against Athletic is any indication, he’s ready to embrace the challenge.
“I’ve been dreaming about this moment,” Gyökeres said in a post-match interview. “To score at the Emirates, in front of these fans — it’s special. I feel like I’m part of something exciting here.”
The striker’s arrival adds another dimension to Arsenal’s attack, which already boasts the likes of Saka, Martinelli, Havertz, and Leandro Trossard. With Gabriel Jesus still recovering from injury, Gyökeres’ emergence could be crucial in the early weeks of the season.
Beyond the goals, Arsenal’s overall performance was encouraging. The defense, marshaled by William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, looked solid and composed. Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko provided width and support from the full-back positions, while Aaron Ramsdale had little to do but remained alert when called upon.
Athletic Club, for their part, struggled to create clear chances. Their best opportunity came late in the first half when Iñaki Williams broke free down the right, but his shot was dragged wide. Nico Williams showed flashes of skill, but Arsenal’s midfield trio of Rice, Zubimendi, and Fabio Vieira controlled the tempo and limited space.
As the final whistle blew, the mood around the Emirates was one of quiet confidence. Arsenal have had a mixed pre-season, with defeats to Manchester United and Villarreal raising questions about their readiness. But the win over Athletic — and the manner in which it was achieved — offered reassurance.
With the Premier League curtain-raiser just days away, Arteta will be hoping his side can carry this momentum into the new campaign. The addition of Gyökeres, Zubimendi, and Madueke has injected fresh energy into the squad, and the competition for places is fiercer than ever.
For the fans, the sight of Gyökeres celebrating in red and white was a glimpse of what could be a thrilling season ahead. If he continues to perform like this, Arsenal may have found the missing piece in their quest for silverware.
