Mansion Sports - Mikel Arteta offered high praise to Arsenal’s new signing, Viktor Gyökeres, after the Swedish striker scored his first goal for the club during their final pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao at the Emirates Stadium.

The goal came in the first half when Gyökeres successfully converted a perfectly timed first-time cross from Martín Zubimendi, giving Arsenal an early lead. 

Although the match was only part of the pre-season preparations, the goal carried significant meaning for Gyökeres, especially considering the short adjustment period he has had since joining the club just before the start of the Premier League campaign.

Speaking after the match, Arteta emphasized that the forward’s performance should serve as a warning to the rest of the league, drawing attention to his strength, movement, and ability to finish under pressure.

“He can hold off two central defenders at the same time. Once he is given the space for a one-on-one situation, he will destroy the opponent,” said Arteta during his post-match press conference.

“He is also going to create a lot of space for us. In any kind of situation, he is a player who can score goals. The first goal is always important, and the way he finished it was simply outstanding.”

A Challenging Start to the Season

Gyökeres will face a difficult competitive debut with Arsenal, as the team is set for one of the toughest opening sequences in the league. 

In their first six matches, Arsenal will come up against Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Manchester City, along with games against Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.

These matches include challenging away fixtures at Old Trafford, Anfield, and St. James’ Park — venues where Arsenal have found it particularly difficult to score in recent seasons. 

This demanding run of matches means Gyökeres will be tested both physically and mentally from the very beginning of his time in the Premier League.

A Special Encounter Against a Former Coach

The opening fixture against Manchester United will carry added significance for Gyökeres. It will not only mark his first competitive match for Arsenal but also reunite him with his former coach, Ruben Amorim. 

Reports earlier in the summer suggested that Manchester United were interested in bringing the striker and the coach back together, but Arsenal moved quickly to finalize the transfer before that could happen.

In the end, Manchester United turned their attention to securing the signature of Benjamin Šeško, a player who had also been closely linked to Arsenal during the transfer window. 

This chain of events has added an extra layer of intrigue to the opening weekend fixture, which could set the tone for both clubs in the early part of the season.

Competition in Arsenal’s Forward Line

The arrival of Gyökeres has also added a new dimension to Arsenal’s attacking options, and the transfer decision is already being closely examined by football analysts and supporters. 

Arteta has made it clear that he sees the competition for places in the forward line as a positive element that will push every player to perform at their best.

Kai Havertz, who had been Arsenal’s primary option at centre-forward last season, came off the bench in the same pre-season match against Athletic Bilbao and scored a goal to cap off the team’s preparations. His contribution highlighted the quality and depth in the squad’s attacking department.

“We are building connections with the new players. That is very good for us. Kai Havertz came on and the goal he scored was also fantastic,” said Arteta.

“Improving the level of all the players will be a massive help for us, because at the highest level, we need the very best from every single one of them.”

This combination of Gyökeres’ early impact, Havertz’s continued contributions, and the squad’s overall attacking depth sets the stage for a competitive and ambitious season for Arsenal.