Arsenal secured a 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Emirates Cup on Saturday, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring his first goal for the team. The Gunners
dominated from the start at the Emirates Stadium. Bukayo Saka was a constant threat to Inigo Lekue on Arsenal's right side, creating several early chances.
In the 34th minute, Arsenal took the lead when Gyokeres headed in Martin Zubimendi's cross. Just two minutes later, Saka doubled their advantage after a well-executed move involving Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard's chipped pass that split Athletic's defence.
Noni Madueke, a new signing, impressed with his dynamic runs as Athletic struggled to pose any threat. The hosts maintained control throughout the match. Kai Havertz came off the bench and capped off Arsenal's performance by scoring in the 82nd minute. He latched onto a long pass and cleverly placed his shot past Unai Simon.
A top day at the office pic.twitter.com/9RoNbAqStS
- Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 9, 2025
Gyokeres' debut goal gave fans a taste of his potential impact at Arsenal. During his last two seasons at Sporting CP, he scored an impressive 68 league goals in just 66 matches. This tally was unmatched by any player in Europe's top five leagues during that period.
The Swedish striker also outperformed his expected goals (xG) by 14.4, achieving a total of 53.6 xG. No other player in Europe's top ten leagues matched this level of overperformance.
Arsenal's commanding win showcased their attacking prowess and highlighted the contributions of their new signings. The team's performance promises an exciting season ahead for fans and players alike.
