Arsenal’s final pre-season outing on home soil is unfolding at the Emirates Stadium, where Viktor Gyokeres has just scored his first goal for the club in their Emirates Cup meeting with Spanish side Athletic Club.
The game serves as Mikel Arteta’s last opportunity to fine-tune his tactics before the Premier League opener away at Manchester United next weekend. After back-to-back defeats to Tottenham and Villarreal, the Gunners are looking to rediscover momentum and confidence before competitive action begins.
This game marks the first-ever meeting between Arsenal and Athletic Club, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the Gunners’ summer schedule. Arteta has been boosted by the return of two senior players from injury, while Gyokeres — a big-money signing from Sporting Lisbon — leads the attack in front of the home crowd.
The opening stages saw the Premier League outfit on the front foot, with Riccardo Calafiori, Bukayo Saka, and Gyokeres all passing up early chances. The Spaniards, meanwhile, have offered little in the way of an attacking threat.
Gyokeres breaks the deadlock
The breakthrough came in the 34th minute when Gyokeres, who had been threatening throughout, rose to meet Martin Zubimendi’s pinpoint cross and powered a header past the Athletic goalkeeper. The Emirates crowd roared as the Swede marked his debut home appearance with a goal.
Just moments later, Bukayo Saka doubled the lead with a sharp, direct run through the middle before finishing clinically. The quick-fire double handed the Gunners a deserved half-time advantage and put them firmly in control of proceedings.
