Arsenal ended their pre-season with a commanding 3-0 win over Athletic Club at the Emirates, powered by Viktor Gyokeres’ first goal in red and white, a sharp Bukayo Saka finish, and a late Kai Havertz strike. Mikel Arteta’s side looked tuned and ready ahead of their Premier League opener at Manchester United next weekend, with new signings clicking and the team showing both attacking flair and tactical balance.
[UPDATE] Gyokeres Breaks the Ice
After a game without goals earlier this week, Gyokeres took only 16 minutes to show the Arsenal fans who he is. He jumped up like a hawk seeing its food, hitting Martin Zubimendi’s perfect pass, making the crowd at the Emirates go wild. He did his special celebration, the first of what fans wish will be many this season.
A little while later, his smart soft pass got Declan Rice free, who then passed to Gabriel Martinelli. Saka got a quick pass in the box and scored from close up, making the lead bigger before Athletic could bounce back.
[TRENDING] Zubimendi’s Quiet Masterclass
Gyokeres’ goal got a lot of attention, but Zubimendi’s play in the middle was what kept Arsenal’s flow going. The Spaniard’s view cut through gaps like a skilled worker shaping wood, and his defence let Rice move ahead freely. The new group of Zubimendi, Rice, and Martin Ødegaard changed positions easily, making it hard for even the best teams in the Premier League to know what to expect.
| Arsenal’s Pre-Season Results | Score |
| vs AC Milan | 1-0 |
| vs Newcastle | March 2, 2025 |
| vs Tottenham | 0-1 |
| vs Villarreal | 2-3 |
| vs Athletic Club | 3-0 |
[WHAT’S HAPPENING] Havertz Seals It, Arteta Warns Rivals
When Gyokeres came off at 70 minutes, Havertz became the main focus. Running fast from the middle, he pushed away a defender and kicked the ball low past Unai Simón to finish the game.
After the game, Arteta said good things about Gyokeres’ smart play and told other teams, “If you let him go one-on-one, he’s going to beat you.” The manager also praised the bonds being made between new people and current stars.
As Arsenal gets ready for Old Trafford, the big question is if Gyokeres or Havertz will be the main striker. The Gunners are ready to fight.
Amit Mishra’s Thoughts
As a writer and football fan, Arsenal’s win felt like getting ready to shoot an arrow, all the work leading to the first shot of the season. Gyokeres might get the attention, but Zubimendi’s calm play could really make a difference over the season.
When playing Manchester United, we will see if the mix of strength and style works when it really counts.
