Arsenal were on the losing side of a pre-season friendly against La Liga side Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium. The scoreline ended 2-3 in favour of the Spanish side managed by Marcelino Toral.
The Arsenal faithful got their chance to witness their premier summer signing, Viktor Gyokeres, up close and personal in action. Despite it not being an evening to remember, Gyokeres seems to be in the correct headspace before the season opener against Manchester United.
Arsenal gaffer, Mikel Arteta, was rather at ease about the Swedish striker’s upcoming endeavours in the Premier League. With a high-profile fixture scheduled for the first matchday, the Spaniard was quick to state that the summer recruit will deliver the goods for his side.
Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal what happened?
Following a long-standing transfer saga, Arsenal were able to secure Viktor Gyokeres’ services. The transfer cost the Gunners £64 million. Speaking about the striker, Arteta remarked –
“I think mentally and understanding what he needs to do, he will be 100 per cent or more because he’s so willing. He’s so confident as well that he can deliver for us straight away, I have no doubt he’ll be in a really good place.”
Gyokeres was short of service against the Yellow Submarines and could not pave his way onto the scoresheet. However, another summer signing, Christian Norgaard, found the back of the net in the first half.
Despite arriving fairly recently, Gyokeres has bonded with his Arsenal mates decently, which was reflected during his interactions on the pitch. Arteta went on to say:
“I hope just days, every day in training I think he’s getting a really good feeling.
I think he’s built connections as well outside of the pitch, which I think is really important with players that are going to help him to be in the position that he needs to get in.
He hasn’t trained really with the team for two months, so he’s done five or six sessions now before today. I think he will take another step in the right direction on Saturday and he will be in a better condition.”
Arsenal are not far away from their Premier League opener against the Red Devils at Old Trafford. Ruben Amorim’s team could pose a tough challenge which will have to be navigated with caution.
Prior to their first game of the season, Arsenal will prepare for another Spanish opponent in Athletic Bilbao. Allowing Arteta another bite at the cherry, having lost the last three fixtures. Arteta further stated:
“We know we need to make the next step and we’re going to be better. The same as any other team, when you look at the competition, the pieces on the puzzle that they’re adding, some of the ones are big ones as well. So, we’re all trying to be at our best and ready to compete to win the Premier League.”