Overview

• Arsenal closed out pre-season with a 3-0 victory over Athletic Club at the Emirates Cup, restoring confidence after earlier friendly setbacks.
• Martín Zubimendi completed 94 percent of his passes, won five of six duels and was named man of the match after orchestrating play and supplying the cross for the opener.
• Viktor Gyokeres scored his first goal for the club with a header from Zubimendi’s delivery, and Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz added second-half strikes.
• Mikel Arteta has implemented a double pivot pairing of Zubimendi and Declan Rice to boost midfield control and unpredictability.
• Buoyed by seamless integration of summer signings and tactical evolution, Arsenal heads to Old Trafford on August 17 for their Premier League opener full of optimism.