Arsenal concluded an up-and-down pre-season on a high with a 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the 2025 Emirates Cup, winning the friendly trophy for the fourth year running.
Fielding close to his strongest possible XI, Mikel Arteta witnessed his troops suffocate the Spaniards from the off, albeit without anything to show for their dominance in the opening 30 minutes.
However, like London buses, two goals arrived in the space of two moments for Arsenal before half time, as Viktor Gyokeres opened his Gunners account with a delightful header before Bukayo Saka tapped home after some wonderful combination play.
Gyokeres came agonisingly close to doubling his tally with another header from a Noni Madueke cross, but his effort struck the woodwork, before he was taken off to a standing ovation from the Emirates faithful.
Arteta's second number nine would erase any lingering doubt late on, though, as Kai Havertz raced through to steer home Arsenal's third on an extremely comfortable day's work.
More to follow.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka reacts on August 9, 2025
Murmurs of discontent were already starting to grow after back-to-back losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal, but with a full-strength side on the pitch, Arsenal were back to their free-flowing best.
The only complaint Gooners can have is the fact that their side did not score more, but a couple of near misses were the only minor blots on the notebook for the North London giants, who celebrated many individual successes today.
More to follow.
ARSENAL VS. ATHLETIC BILBAO HIGHLIGHTS
35th min: Arsenal 1-0 Athletic Bilbao (Viktor Gyokeres)
??? pic.twitter.com/zXKgYaDGDv
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 9, 2025
And the mask is out!
Two of Arsenal's summer signings combine for a wonderful opening goal, as Martin Zubimendi's inswinging cross from the right half-space is on the money for Gyokeres, who directs a deft header into the far corner with his back to goal.
The Swede failed to score a single header last season and has had his aerial abilities called into question previously; talk about silencing the doubters.
37th min: Arsenal 2-0 Athletic Bilbao (Bukayo Saka)
Arsenal through and through ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jiV0whHevI
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 9, 2025
Arsene Wenger eat your heart out. This goal is what Arsenal always have been and will always be about.
Gyokeres and Martin Odegaard combine in the centre circle with some lovely one-touch play before the captain lifts a ball over the top for Gabriel Martinelli to chase.
Athletic's high line is exposed, Unai Simon is in no man's land, and Martinelli taps the ball to Saka - who had followed his run - for a simple finish into an empty net.
82nd min: Arsenal 3-0 Athletic Bilbao (Kai Havertz)
Something something £60m down the drain.
Copy and paste from above re Athletic's high line being exposed, as Saka sets Havertz through on goal with one delicate ball over the top.
The German has a fair way to go, but he beats Adama for pace and produces a terrific finish into the far corner from the left-hand side of the box.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MARTIN ZUBIMENDI
ARSENAL VS. ATHLETIC BILBAO MATCH STATS
Possession: Arsenal 58%-42% Athletic Bilbao
Shots: Arsenal 10-2 Athletic Bilbao
Shots on target: Arsenal 6-2 Athletic Bilbao
Corners: Arsenal 6-0 Athletic Bilbao
Fouls: Arsenal 6-12 Athletic Bilbao
BEST STATS
If anyone was sceptical about whether Martin Zubimendi's playing style would translate to the intensity of the PL, 25 of his first 30 touches were passes.
Everything in the opening 50 minutes was more or less one touch.
Looks very accomplished at the base of Arsenal's midfield.
— Ryan Taylor (@RyanTaylorSport) August 9, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
It is all systems go on the Premier League preparation front for Arsenal, who have just over a week to recuperate from Saturday's success before a blockbuster opening fixture with Manchester United at Old Trafford next Sunday.
Meanwhile, Athletic also kick off the La Liga campaign on August 17 with a home fixture against Sevilla, which they go into on the back of six straight friendly losses.
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