Arsenal defeated Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium to win the traditional Emirates Cup, the Gunners' final preseason warm-up. Viktor Gyökeres (34') scored his first goal for the London side, 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 teams took penalties after the final whistle, with Arsenal winning 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, with Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, and Martinelli forming the midfield. Viktor Gyökeres led the attack, flanked by Saka and Martinelli.
Alex Berenguer led the visitors' attack, supported on the wings by the Williams brothers.
Arsenal dominated the first half. Early on, Unai Simón saved a close-range effort from Saka.
In the 16th minute, a mistake by Calafiori gifted the ball to Galarreta, but Raya saved the Spaniard's shot.
Gyökeres missed a great chance in the 21st minute. Ødegaard played a nice pass to Saka who found the Swede. However, his shot towards the far post went wide. Gyökeres finally got his first Arsenal goal in the 35th minute. Ødegaard delivered a pinpoint cross, and the Swede headed home powerfully past Simón for 1-0.
Just two minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead. Martinelli broke through with Simón off his line. The Brazilian squared the ball to Saka for a simple tap-in into the empty net.
Noni Madueke and Ben White replaced Martinelli and Calafiori at halftime for Arsenal.
In the 61st minute, Gyökeres nearly grabbed 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 opportunity but made it 3-0 in the 82nd minute, latching onto a pass from Saka and firing accurately into the far corner.
Despite the result, both teams proceeded to a penalty shootout, as they had done in Arsenal's match against Villarreal. Guruzeta and Merino converted the first penalties for each side. Navarro and Havertz were also successful, making it 2-2. Vesga and Madueke made it 3-3. Serrano put Bilbao up 4-3. Nwaneri, who just signed a new contract, shot over the bar. Sancet then missed for Bilbao. Saka leveled for Arsenal at 4-4. Lekue put Bilbao ahead again and Saliba equalized. Raya then saved Boyero's attempt, and Ødegaard scored the winner, making it 6-5 for Arsenal.