Arsenal End Pre-Season in Style with Dominant Win Over Athletic Bilbao

Arsenal wrapped up their pre-season campaign in emphatic fashion with a convincing 3–0 victory over Athletic Bilbao at the Emirates Stadium, securing the Emirates Cup and sending a strong statement ahead of the Premier League kick-off.

The match began with high energy from the home side, who wasted no time in asserting their dominance. New signing Viktor Gyökeres, making his mark in front of the Arsenal faithful, opened the scoring midway through the first half. The Swedish striker powered home a perfectly timed header after Martin Zubimendi delivered a pin-point cross from the right. It was the moment fans had been waiting for — a glimpse of why the club invested heavily in the striker’s talent.

The celebrations had barely settled before Arsenal doubled their advantage. Bukayo Saka, always a menace down the wing, found himself on the end of a slick passing sequence involving Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Ødegaard. With his trademark composure, Saka slotted the ball past the Bilbao keeper to make it 2–0, leaving the visitors chasing shadows.

As the second half unfolded, Arsenal showed no signs of easing up. Arteta made several substitutions to test different combinations, and it paid off late in the game. Kai Havertz, introduced from the bench, showcased his agility and technical quality. Picking up the ball in midfield, he drove forward with purpose, gliding past two defenders before calmly finishing into the bottom corner to seal the win.

Beyond the goals, several performances stood out. Riccardo Calafiori earned special praise from the home crowd for his marauding runs and clever positioning from full-back. His overlapping play repeatedly stretched Bilbao’s defence and hinted at the tactical flexibility he could bring to the side this season.

The midfield trio of Zubimendi, Declan Rice, and Ødegaard also impressed with their fluid interchanging roles, pressing high when needed and orchestrating possession with confidence. This dynamic movement and understanding between them could become a key weapon for Arsenal in the months ahead.

By full-time, the Emirates was buzzing. Three goals, a clean sheet, and a performance filled with energy, precision, and confidence — all signs that Mikel Arteta’s side are ready for the challenges ahead. With new signings bedding in seamlessly and the squad showing both depth and cohesion, Arsenal head into the new season with momentum firmly on their side.