Arsenal 3-0 Athletic Membership: Viktor Gyokeres off the mark for Gunners who finish pre-season with emphatic win

Viktor Gyokeres scored his first objective for Arsenal because the Gunners completed their pre-season marketing campaign with a 3-0 victory towards Athletic Membership.

Gyokeres’ first Arsenal begin towards Villarreal ended with out a objective and in defeat in midweek, however Arsenal’s new £63.5m striker was all smiles on his second Emirates look.

Teed up by the spectacular Martin Zubimendi, Gyokeres emphatically headed an inch-perfect cross previous Simon earlier than pulling out his trademark celebration for the primary time in Arsenal colors, a lot to the delight of the house followers.

They had been celebrating once more simply two minutes later. Gyokores, who confirmed flashes of sensible link-up play by means of the afternoon, cushioned the ball into the trail of Declan Rice, who clipped the ball ahead and into the trail of Martinelli. Simon got here speeding out of his objective and bought caught out of place, which allowed Martinelli to arrange Saka for a tap-in.

After the break, Arsenal launched Noni Madueke but it surely was Gyokeres who continued to shine as he settled into his new environment in north London.

A deft contact after utilizing his energy to pay money for the ball launched Saka earlier than a few runs into the channels had been picked out by passes as the mix play between Gyokeres and his new team-mates continued to construct.

He nearly capped an ideal afternoon with a second objective as he dived to satisfy Madueke’s cross. His header was heading for the underside nook till Simon’s fantastic save diverted the ball onto the put up and away to security.

It was one among Gyokeres’ remaining actions earlier than being changed by Kai Havertz on 70 minutes.

No Gyokeres, no drawback for Arsenal as Havertz rounded off a fantastic afternoon for the Gunners.

The German confirmed a superb flip of foot to race throughout the midway line and onto a free ball earlier than charging into the field, holding off a remaining problem and firing a low shot throughout Simon and into the underside nook to ship Arsenal into the brand new season on a excessive.

Arteta’s Gyokores warning for rivals

Arteta was delighted with what he noticed from Gyokores and issued a warning to Arsenal’s rivals on what the striker can deliver to his aspect.

“Everything he does is on instinct. That’s why he’s scored so many in the last few seasons.

“I believe his targets, his risk.

“He pins both centre backs. He is a player that the moment you leave him with space one-on-one, he is going to destroy you. He’s going to create a lot of space for us as well.

“In any moment or situation, he is a player that can score a goal.”

On Gyokores getting his first objective, he added: “That first goal is always very important and the way he took it as well, was really, really good.

“We’re creating sure connections with the brand new gamers. It was excellent. Kai Havertz got here in and I believe the objective he scored was high, as nicely.

“Raising the level of everybody is going to really help us, because at that level, we are going to need our very best from everybody.”

In footage: Gyokores’ first Arsenal objective…

The primary of many?

Gyokores or Havertz? Who begins up entrance at Previous Trafford?

“It’s great to see both of them scoring. It’s a good problem to have” Mikel Arteta stated after each Viktor Gyokores and Kai Havertz discovered the web in Arsenal‘s 3-0 win over Atheltic Membership .

However with the Premier League getting underway subsequent weekend, Arteta now has a call to make.

Does Gyokores or Havertz begin as Arsenal’s striker at Previous Trafford towards vs Man Utd?

Watch Man Utd vs Arsenal on Sunday August 17, stay on Sky Sports activities; kick off 4.30pm.

Gyokores grabs headlines however Zubimendi steals present

Sky Sports activities’ Oliver Yew at Emirates Stadium:

Arsenal followers bought the second all of them got here to see.

Gyokores’ emphatic header considerably raised the noise ranges in north London and gave the Gunners followers their image second when the Sweden worldwide pulled out his trademark celebration.

It is a second that may seize all of the headlines as Arsenal’s pre-season preparations come to an finish but it surely was the efficiency of Zubimendi in the course of the park that ought to get them excited.

The Spain worldwide, who moved to north London earlier this summer season, has gone a bit below the radar after the arrival of Gyokeres, however towards Athletic Membership he confirmed simply what an essential participant he could possibly be this season.

The standard on the ball is to be anticipated for a participant representing Spain. His inch-perfect cross for Gyokores’ header confirmed simply that, but it surely was his tenacious tackling and his capability to be in the fitting place on the proper time in defence that might rapidly make him a fan favorite.

He is additionally a participant that provides Arteta tactical flexibility and one other dimension, permitting Declan Rice to go on these chaotic lung-bursting runs ahead. There have been additionally instances when the 2 swapped positions on Saturday, giving Arsenal completely different choices as they give the impression of being to maintain the opposition guessing.

It was the primary time Arteta has put Zubimendi, Rice and captain Martin Odegaard collectively and the Gunners boss was excited with what he noticed. On the gamers interchanging towards Athletic, he stated: “Especially with the qualities they have and the way they compliment each other. It’s another evolution on that and something the team can really benefit from to be much more unpredictable and be more of a threat.”

Gyokores could also be Arsenal’s glamour signing this summer season, however Zubimendi could possibly be their most essential one.