Arsenal closed out their pre-season in style, lifting the 2025 Emirates Cup trophy after a commanding 3–0 victory over Athletic Club at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Viktor Gyökeres marked his first goal in Arsenal colours with a powerful header from a “perfect inch-perfect cross” by Martin Zubimendi. Just two minutes later, Bukayo Saka doubled the lead, before substitute Kai Havertz capped the afternoon with a composed late finish.
“We controlled the advantage comfortably,” Arsenal’s match report noted, as Athletic Club “barely threatened us in the second half.” From the outset, Saka was electric. The England winger “darted into the danger area from the right”, forcing early work from Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simón.
Gabriel Martinelli also tested the visitors before Zubimendi’s midfield tenacity created the opening goal. Declan Rice swung the play wide to Saka, who laid it back to Zubimendi.
Second-half substitute Noni Madueke wasted no time making an impression, while Gyökeres came inches from a second goal when his diving header struck the post. Havertz, introduced in the 70th minute, had already been denied once when Saka sparked a rapid counter-attack. The German forward “was off balance but still picked out the bottom right corner with aplomb” to seal the victory.
