Arsenal triumphs 3-0 over Athletic Bilbao in the Emirates Cup game; Viktor Gyokeres scores his premier goal for the Gunners, securing the trophy for them.
In a dominating performance at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal clinched the Emirates Cup with a 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao.
The match saw several standout moments, with Bukayo Saka posing problems for Inigo Lekue throughout the game. Saka's efforts were rewarded when he scored the second goal for Arsenal, just two minutes after Viktor Gyökeres' opening goal.
Gyökeres, who joined Arsenal this summer, made an immediate impact, scoring his first goal for the club in the 34th minute. His goal was assisted by Martin Zubimendi, setting the tone for a memorable debut.
Gyökeres' performance was further highlighted by his impressive goal-scoring record at his previous club, Sporting CP. Over his last two seasons, Gyökeres netted 68 league goals in 66 games, averaging approximately 0.95 goals per game. This impressive form earned him the Bola de Prata award and Player of the Year in 2024.
While Gyökeres' goal-scoring record at Sporting CP represents a major improvement over his earlier career in other top European leagues, his time at Arsenal is off to a promising start.
Arsenal created several early openings in the match, with Sack's shot at Unai Simon from a tight angle being one of the highlights. Despite Athletic Bilbao's efforts, they struggled to threaten the Arsenal defence throughout the game.
The third goal of the match came in the 82nd minute, with Kai Havertz coming off the bench to slide a clever shot across Unai Simon to secure a comfortable victory for Arsenal.
This victory marks a strong start for Mikel Arteta's side, as they continue to build towards the new season. With Gyökeres' impressive form and the promising performances of Saka and Havertz, Arsenal fans have much to look forward to in the coming months.
[1] Sporting CP Official Website [2] Bola de Prata Award [3] UEFA Champions League Statistics [4] Premier League Statistics [5] FIFA.com
[1] Sporting CP's club record of Gyökeres' impressive goal-scoring feat in European leagues and his recent contribution to Arsenal's football success seems to have caught the attention of major sports business arenas, potentially positioning him as a top contender in the Premier League.
[2] As Gyökeres claimed the Bola de Prata award and Player of the Year title in 2024 while at his former club, a similar recognition in the Premier League could further boost his value in the sports business market.
[3] With Kai Havertz's goal-scoring brilliance, reminiscent of his performances in the Premier League during his tenure with Chelsea, autochthonous fans of the European leagues might be keen to follow Arsenal's journey in the upcoming seasons, adding another boost to the business side of football.
