Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his side are “very much ready” to kick off the Premier League season against Manchester United, following a commanding 3-0 victory over Athletic Club in the Emirates Cup final on Saturday.
The Gunners wrapped up their pre-season campaign in style, with goals from summer signing Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, as well as a solid defensive display that secured a clean sheet in front of a jubilant home crowd.
Gyokeres opened his Arsenal account with a precise header from Martin Zubimendi’s inch-perfect cross, while Havertz made an instant impact from the bench, finding the net with a composed finish.
Speaking after the match, Arteta underlined the value of Arsenal’s summer preparations and the confidence within his squad. “Now we will review the match, review what we’ve done in pre-season and make the final tweaks. We’re very much ready to start the season on Sunday,” the Spaniard said.
Arsenal’s pre-season has taken them across the globe, with a string of encouraging performances showcasing the team’s depth, versatility, and attacking threat. The arrivals of Gyokeres, Zubimendi, and other reinforcements have injected fresh energy into a squad already brimming with quality, while standout performances from established stars have kept the competitive spirit high.
Arteta believes that the combination of tactical cohesion and squad depth will be key to navigating a challenging opening fixture against United.
“In every position now, we have different qualities,” he noted. “We can adapt and change things during games, which makes it difficult for opponents. The players are hungry, and the spirit in the group is strong.”
The Emirates Cup triumph offered a final pre-season boost, both in performance and morale. With the team showing sharpness in attack, solidity in defence, and growing chemistry between new and existing players, Arsenal head into Sunday’s clash with momentum firmly on their side.