Arsenal 3-0 Athletic Bilbao: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Viktor Gyokeres opens account in Martin Zubimendi masterclass

Arsenal concluded an up-and-down pre-season on a high with a 3-0 victory 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.

An added bonus, Arteta's side triumphed 6-5 in the penalty shootout too, atoning for previous 12-yard defeats to AC Milan and Villarreal.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

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.

Gyokeres showed exactly what he is capable of when the right service is provided - potentially shooting down criticism of his supposed lack of aerial ability in the process - Martin Zubimendi was near-faultless in midfield, while Saka and Gabriel Martinelli were at their electric best out wide.

After Manchester United could only play out a low-key draw with Fiorentina earlier on Saturday, Arsenal have momentum on their side for next weekend's mouthwatering Premier League opener; today's display was much more like it from a side with aspirations of title stardom.

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 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 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

Saka's goal and assist and Gyokeres's vintage number nine performance were taken into consideration, but the man pictured above proved perfectly at home at the base of the Arsenal engine room and ran the show from the off.

As well as sending in a sumptuous delivery for Gyokeres's first in a red and white shirt, Zubimendi won four of his five ground duels, completed 94% of his passes and only misplaced one of his six long balls - a true midfield masterclass.

Oh, and he scored the winning penalty in the shootout - a perfect end to a perfect day.

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.