Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had some words of advice for the defenders of rival teams after watching his side’s newly acquired goal machine, Viktor Gyokeres, score his first goal for the Gunners in their final pre-season friendly match against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Gyokeres opened the scoring in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz also on target as the Gunners lifted the Emirates Cup to round off pre-season. The former Sporting CP striker latched onto a deep cross from fellow new signing Martin Zubimendi, heading past Unai Simon to earn praise from Arteta.
“That’s his nature. I think everything that he does… his movement, the way he times his runs, the way he predicts the next move, where the space can be and where the ball is going to land, that’s the instinct that he has,” the Arsenal boss told reporters after the game.
“That’s why he’s scored so many goals in the last few seasons, so that’s not a coincidence, it’s his ability and he’s constantly looking for it.
“I think he pins both centre-backs. He’s a player that, when you leave him with the space one against one, he’s going to destroy you. He’s going to create a lot of space as well for us and there is the moment that, in any situation, there is a player there that can score a goal.”
Since joining Sporting from Coventry City in 2023, Gyokeres has netted 68 Primeira Liga goals in two seasons, the highest tally by any player across Europe’s top 10 leagues in that period.
The first backline that will be tested against Gyokeres is that of Manchester United as Arsenal rock up to Old Trafford for their opening game of the 2025/2026 Premier League season.
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