Viktor Gyokeres sends Man Utd message as Arsenal thump Bilbao – 6 talking points

ARSENAL 3-0 ATHLETIC BILBAO: The Gunners enjoyed the perfect end to their pre-season preparations as they beat the Spanish side in the Emirates Cup on Saturday afternoon

Arsenal rounded off their pre-season preparations as they eased past Spanish side Athletic Bilbao at the Emirates on Sunday. The Gunners welcomed the La Liga side to North London for the latest instalment of the Emirates Cup.

Viktor Gyokeres gave Arsenal the perfect start as he scored his first Gunners goal with an excellent header from Martin Zubimendi’s cross. Bukayo Saka then swiftly doubled the lead as he rounded off an eye-catching team move.

Kai Havertz came off the bench to round off the scoring with a brilliant solo effort. Attention will now turn to next weekend’s Premier League opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Here are all of the talking points from the Emirates Stadium:

READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd bid ‘expected’, Liverpool agree sale, Alexander Isak latestREAD MORE: Arsenal told it’s time to sell £45m star Mikel Arteta pushed for after £204m transfer spree

Arteta drops Man Utd hint

Taking a look at the Arsenal side before kick-off at the Emirates, it’s hard to imagine that their teamsheet will look very different as they travel to Old Trafford in a week’s time.

But there were two positions where it appears that Arteta has not yet made his mind up. Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori started the game but was replaced by Ben White at half-time.

Meanwhile, summer signing Noni Madueke came on for Gabriel Martinelli at the break. Elsewhere, Declan Rice was joined by Martin Zubimendi in midfield.

Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres assembled an eye-catching front three. It appears unlikely that any more signings come in within the next week but this side would certainly be good enough to take on the Red Devils.

Who was the man-of-the-match between Arsenal and Athletic Bilbao? Share your thoughts in the comments below

Gyokeres opens account

Given all of the pressure on his shoulders this season, Viktor Gyokeres needed a goal early on in his Arsenal career. And it came in typically predatory circumstances against Bilbao.

Spanish midfielder Zubimendi whipped in an excellent cross, with the Swede leaping highest to nod home.

Gyokeres has previously only scored 12 headed goals throughout his career but a few more like that during his Arsenal career, and he will certainly prove that he is worth the money that the Gunners paid for him.

Saka scintilating

While Gyokeres’ first goal for Arsenal is likely to steal all of the headlines, his new teammate Bukayo Saka shone just as much. The England winger was an electric presence down the right flank for the Gunners as he gave Iñigo Lekue a torrid time of things.

Saka certainly showed his versatility against the Spanish side, regularly charging down the by-line, while he was also not afraid to cut in either.

Saka eventually got his reward by doubling Arsenal’s lead just minutes after the opening goal. A brilliant team move ended with the winger rounding Unai Simón and tapping into the empty net.

Early yellow card

Away from the goals, there was also a bizarre incident just a minute into the game involving Gyokeres. As the striker attempted to make an impression early on, he was unceremoniously taken down by Yuri Berchiche.

Premier League referee Robert Jones appeared not to get the memo that the game was a friendly as he instantly brandished a yellow card. Let’s hope there’s somewhat of a higher bar in league action once it returns or there will be countless cautions each game.

Havertz sends timely reminder

One man who might be feeling the pressure this summer is Kai Havertz. The German has lost his role as Arsenal’s out and out striker – and it’s tough to envisage where he actually fits.

He could however be as a very effective substitute. Havertz showed excellent awareness to ghost onto an excellent through ball and hold off the challenge from a defender.

He then scored with a cool finish to once again underline his effectiveness as a forward. Of course, Havertz may see his minutes slightly more limited this term but there’s no doubting that he’s an excellent option to have around.

Williams silenced

Arsenal actually came up against a face that could have become an Arsenal star at the Emirates on Saturday. And that man was Spanish winger Nico Williams.

The wideman was at the heart of huge interest earlier this window, with the Gunners and Barcelona chasing him following a standout season. But he elected to sign a new long-term deal with the Spanish side.

And while he no doubt has potential, some Arsenal fans might be thinking it was a blessing in disguise. The youngster really struggled to get involved throughout the afternoon, potentially validating Arsenal’s decision not to make a move.

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