Arsenal Preseason Tracker: Viktor Gyokeres opens gunner account with Emirates Cup victory at the Athletic Club when Martin Zubimendi shines

The Swedish striker showed a flash of what could come this season as he came across a cross from Martin Zubimendi to open up a score with a fierce header.

He played Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, August 17th 71 minutes ago, but Bukayosaka and Kaihaberts were also targeted by gunners.

The victory at Emirates Stadium was defeated by Villarreal and Tottenham Hotspur after beating Asia’s AC Milan and Newcastle United.

Alongside Zubimendi and Gyokeres, he made his club debut after signing this summer, alongside Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera and Nuni Maduke.

Perhaps the highlight of Arsenal’s preseason campaign was the introduction of 15-year-old starlet Max Dowman.

Earlier in the preseason, Gyoker made his Arsenal debut on the bench on July 31st. The Gunners lost 1-0 to North London rival Tottenham on the Asian tour.

Pape Sarr’s long-distance strike in the first half proved the difference in the preseason encounter in Hong Kong.

Later, we saw all summer mates appearing with summer summer Mosquera and teenage sensation Douman, all appearing, but the trio couldn’t prevent their new side from falling into narrow losses.

Arsenal defeated AC Milan 1-0 in Singapore to a 3-2 win over Newcastle United, and began the pre-season season after Martin Odegard won a 3-2 win after Mikel Merino’s strike and Alex Murphy scored a goal in the first half.

Arsenal also lost to Villarreal on normal times and penalty shootouts. Madueke missed the spot, but he made up for it with a shootout with the athletic club.

Matchdate and Timearsenal v Ac Milan (1-0) Wednesday, July 23, 12:30 UK time, Singer Pearl Senal v Newcastle United (3-2) Sunday, July 27, 12:30 UK time, Singapore Senal v Tottenham Hotspur (0-1) Thursday, July 31, 12:30 UK V Athletic Club (3-0) Saturday, August 9, 17:00 UK Time, London

Goalkeepers: David Raya, Kepa Alizabaraga, Tommy Thetford, Alexei Rojas.

Defenders: William Saliba, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhes, Julien Timber, Jakubu Kiwior, Olexandre Zinchenko, Ricardo Calfioli, Miles Lewis Skelly, Josh Nichols, Marley Salmon, Christian Moscara

Midfielders: Martin Odegaard, Christian Norgaard, Mikel Merino, Sambi Lokonga, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, and Louie Copley.

Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Torosad, Ethan Nuwaneri, Reese Nelson, Kai Hubbert, Ismir Kavia, Max Douman, Andre Harriman Anas, Victor Gyoker.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was delighted with his team’s display after beating AC Milan 1-0 in the preseason opener.

“There have been a lot of changes and we have seen players play at a very high level.

“It’s also a great pleasure to see so many young kids playing at ages 15, 16, 17 playing on that level. Overall, it’s very good.”

“In terms of numbers, we’re short so we have to improve the depth and quality of our team,” he told reporters. “We are always looking for the market.

“Until that happens, (we’re) focusing on the players we have. And I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen in the last 10-15 days.”

After a 3-2 victory at Newcastle, Arteta gave him some thoughts about adding Gyoker.

“We’re so happy to have Viktor with us. It’s been a long journey to bring him here,” he said.

“He was incredible. He was very clear from the beginning that he wanted to play, and how passionate he felt from the first time we spoke.

“You can see the boy. You can see the environment too. I’m very excited about his arrival.”

After Gyokeres and Mosquera debuted against Tottenham, Arteta said:

“It was a short one, but at least it’s finished now. When they play against Villarial now, I’m sure it’s not.”

After winning the final pre-season Test, Arteta spoke about his new signatures Zubimendi and Gyoker.

“The quality of delivery from Zubi, absolutely top,” he said. “He’s today the way he played the whole game and for Victor, and I think it’s very important to me to get that initial goal.

“Again, he was involved in many of the very important actions in the game. Kai came in and scored an incredible goal. So I’m very pleased with the team today.”

“I don’t know what he saw in me, but I thought he was one of the top coaches in Europe,” Zubimendi told reporters.

“At the end of the day, when I left Real Sociedad I wanted a quality coach and I think I found him.

“In the days I’ve been here, I’ve seen how meticulous he is about every aspect of the game, so I think he’s one of them.”

When quizzing about the club’s desire to finally get past the line next season, he explained: “The most important thing about this club is what they learn from the previous season.

“I think the lessons they learned from how to finish last season will be key to getting closer to this year’s goals.

“I think in the end, especially in the Champions League, football will come down to detail.

“Arsenal is the only team in that semi-final that really stood up against PSG (Paris St-Germain) and I feel they’ve slipped it for the details.”

Meanwhile, Declan Rice insisted that Arsenal “pushing the big ones” next season despite a preseason defeat to rival Spurs.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice: “It’s really special to be coming to Hong Kong. I’d like to thank you for your support.

“It was an incredible trip, we really felt love and it pushed us forward.

“We lost tonight, but we have another game on Wednesday. It’s still a preseason and we’re going to push for big things this season.”

Following the end of the Athletic Club’s victory, Zubimendi looked back at his first taste in an Arsenal shirt.

“It was so easy – the team has become so easy for me,” he said. “I think the rest of the team is very well integrated, and I think people are very friendly on and off the pitch.

“(Rice and Odegard) are top players and are the best in that position. It’s time to learn, adapt and enjoy it.

“We came from two losses, so it was an important game. It’s true that they were friendly, but this club doesn’t understand defeat in any context, so winning and starting the preseason with a good feeling was an important game.”

Kepa, Norgaard and Zubimendi all made their club debuts with a 1-0 victory over AC Milan.

Kepa and Zubimendi were featured in the second half, enjoying the first 45 minutes in the North London outfit, but Norgaard was involved from the start and partnered with Decan Rice in the middle.

Zubimendi slotted his spot kick and showed why Kepa could become the perfect goalkeeper in a cup competition after saving three penalty kicks.

Following friendliness, Arteta was pleased with the way the signature adapted to the new environment.

“I think they adapted really fast, really fast,” he explained.

“It was an incredible group of players we have and they made them feel straight forward and welcoming. They were very loose, very relaxed, very confident in everything they did, and again a very positive performance.”

During the Newcastle victory, Zubimendi got his first start in the middle along with goalscorer Merino, while Kepa and Norgaard made their second appearance off the bench.

Meanwhile, Mosquera and Gyoker made a short cameo towards the end of Arsenal’s defeat to Tottenham, but suggested that Arteta might receive a few more minutes in his next match against Villarreal.

Once Mosquera and Gyoker settle for the team, defender William Saliba feels that the latter scoring ability can guide Arsenal to the title this season.

“We know how good he is, and it’s scary to play against him,” the Frenchman said. “Of course I am very happy that he took him to my club and I am sure he will help us win the game and win the trophy.

“(He’s scary) Because when you face a goal-scoring striker, you have to focus! But now he’s on our team and he scores for us.

“Every year is different. You have to learn from the last three seasons. Of course, you have the opportunity to try and win the Premier League again.

“Our mindset is to win the Premier League and we provide everything from the first game. We have a lot of new players.

Madueke made his Arsenal debut after an extended break and was out of the bench in a loss to Villarreal. He stepped up for a penalty in the next shootout, but saw his efforts have been saved.

He also came out of the bench with the Athletic Club, but this time slotted the penalty home in a friendly shootout.