GYÖKERES STRIKES AS ARSENAL LIFT 2025 EMIRATES CUP WITH 3–0 WIN OVER ATHLETIC CLUB
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By: Sefiu Ajape
Arsenal ended their pre-season on a high, lifting the 2025 Emirates Cup with a commanding 3–0 win over Athletic Club at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Viktor Gyökeres opened his Arsenal account with a towering header from a “perfect inch-perfect cross” by Martin Zubimendi.
Just two minutes later, Bukayo Saka doubled the lead before substitute Kai Havertz sealed the scoreline with a composed late strike.
“We controlled the advantage comfortably,” the club’s match report stated, noting that Athletic Club “barely threatened us in the second half.”
Bright Start
Saka was electric from the outset, as he “darted into the danger area from the right” to test goalkeeper Unai Simón early on.
Gabriel Martinelli also went close before Zubimendi’s persistence in midfield unlocked the defence. A pass from Declan Rice to Saka was played back to the Spaniard, whose cross was “venomously headed into the back of the net by Gyökeres for our new number 14’s first goal in red and white.”
With the visitors unsettled, Martinelli fed Saka moments later for a cool finish to make it 2–0 at half-time.
Second-Half Control
Noni Madueke, introduced after the break, made an instant impact, while Gyökeres came within inches of a brace when his diving header struck the post.
Havertz, on from the 70th minute, was denied once before Saka sparked a quick counter-attack. The German “was off balance but still picked out the bottom right corner with aplomb” to make it 3–0.
Shootout Practice
Despite the scoreline, both teams took part in a post-match penalty shootout, with Zubimendi netting the decisive kick as Arsenal triumphed 6–5.
Looking Ahead
The result sets up Arsenal for their Premier League opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford next Sunday at 4:30pm. As the club declared: “Premier League football is back next weekend!”
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