Arsenal defeated Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at the Emirates to win the annual Emirates Cup, their final preseason warm-up. Viktor Gyökeres (34’) scored his first goal for the Gunners, assisted by fellow new signing, Martin Ødegaard. Both players impressed, as did Bukayo Saka, who doubled the lead (36’). Kai Havertz (82’) sealed the victory. Despite the convincing win, both sides proceeded to a penalty shootout, which Arsenal also won, 6-5. For Bilbao, it was their sixth consecutive preseason loss.
Mikel Arteta made six changes from the midweek match against Villarreal. Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Magalhães, and Riccardo Calafiori started in defense, while Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, and Martinelli formed the midfield. Viktor Gyökeres led the attack, flanked by Saka and Martinelli.
Alex Berenguer spearheaded the visitors' attack, supported on the wings by the Williams brothers.
Arsenal dominated the first half. Early on, Unai Simón saved Saka's close-range effort.
In the 16th minute, a mistake by Calafiori gifted the ball to Galarreta, but Raya saved the Spaniard's shot.
Gyökeres missed a golden opportunity in the 21st minute. Ødegaard played a great ball to Saka, who laid it back to the Swede. The former top scorer attempted a shot towards the far corner, but couldn't connect cleanly, and Simón easily collected. However, in the 35th minute, Gyökeres finally netted his first Arsenal goal. Ødegaard delivered a perfect cross, and the Swede headed home powerfully, leaving Simón with no chance.
Just two minutes later, the hosts extended their lead. Martinelli broke free with Simón off his line. The Brazilian squared the ball to Saka, who slotted it into the empty net.
Noni Madueke and Ben White came on for Arsenal at the start of the second half, replacing Martinelli and Calafiori.
In the 61st minute, Gyökeres nearly scored his second, diving to meet a Madueke cross with a header, but Simón tipped the ball onto the crossbar.
Ten minutes later, the Swede was replaced by Havertz. The German missed a good chance, but in the 82nd minute, he made it 3-0, latching onto a pass from Saka and firing a precise shot into the far corner.
Despite the result, both teams were required to take penalties, as was the case in Arsenal’s match against Villarreal. Guruzeta and Merino converted their first penalties. Navarro and Havertz also scored to make it 2-2. Vesga and Madueke kept it level at 3-3. Serrano's powerful shot under the bar made it 4-3. Nwaneri, who recently signed a new contract, shot over. Sancet returned the favor by missing wide. Saka scored Arsenal’s fifth to tie it at 4-4. Lekue put Athletic Bilbao back in front, but Saliba equalized. Raya then saved Boyero's penalty, and Ødegaard converted to secure the shootout win for Arsenal, 6-5.