The Day Viktor Gyökeres Scored His First Goal for Arsena

There are a few better places to enjoy the afternoon summer sunshine than here in N5 today. An early August date with Athletic Club, a last chance to tune up, in public at least, for the campaign ahead. Not just pre-season practice on the agenda though, but the Emirates Cup and our well-established curtain-raiser to the Gunners' footballing year. Mikel Arteta's side have posted a mixed bag of results over the team in Asia, against Milan and Newcastle. A slip versus Spurs, before losing to Villarreal at home in midweek. New signing from Osasuna for €10m starts, Othello's summer capture. Right winger Robert Navarro from Mallorca is only on the bench. While younger brother Teep, 9 goals in 33 appearances in the Portuguese league last season. This is a step up. So here we go, final game of the summer, our last chance to fine-tune fitness and tweak tactics. Slip through for Saka again, but good movement inside the penalty area. Because of injury, still topped an awful lot instantly. And still going, skips away from the challenge. Milan Simon makes the save. Well, he went for goal himself. I'm not sure if it was the right option by Saka in the end, and I only say that because he doesn't score. Victor Jokovic moving inside the penalty area. Nico Williams, this is Bellinger, can't quite get hold of that. Comfortable for David Wright. Yeah, slip, sloppy by... Martinelli gets the shot away, but unfortunately, always going wide. But he's such an exciting player, with a ball at his feet. Inside the box, and then it's a tight angle to get your shot away, and get it past. Towards Iñaki Williams. Saka, it's a bully, he's way forward. Tried to put it on the plate for Jokovic inside the six-yard box, but the block was there, and the corner one. Yeah, lovely switch of play by Arsenal again, to Saka on this right. Always innovative. To the near post, is it? No, close to the... Odegaard. And now it's with Timber if he can keep it in, not quite. And then just at the end, when Odegaard gets the ball, just overhits it. Rice, all given away though, inside the penalty area. Big chance for Athletic Club, not taken. Well, David Wright makes a comfortable save. But really, Arsenal should have been... Calateta looking on. He knows it's a big season. Arsenal have invested heavily. Jokovic calls for his shoulders. Martinelli sees Jokovic with the shot. Well, didn't quite catch it. Hit the turf, spun up, and an easy save. Yeah, but that's the combination play that Arsenal like. Combination... Odegaard. For Rice. Martinelli. It's a turn, and still. In Calafiore. Mindful for Odegaard. Still. Calateta, speaking with... Goes the signal. As described. At the top of the crossbar. And bounces out. Nearly an Olimpico. Here is the Swede. And still. Calafiore. Trying to place it, but maybe just leaning back a little bit here. And he clears the crossbar. Should be in tip-top condition straight away. Oh, that's a bit awkward. Corner. Could have gone anywhere. Zubimendi first time. And the header! Arsenal the lead. The first of many, we hope. Brilliantly time-grown. Between defender and attacker, and out for a goal kick. Well, he looked early. Because he wanted to whip that ball in. Martinelli over the top. And still going. Puts it up high for Saka! With a poor challenge. And may well have injured himself in the process. Through the gears. And the skills. Like he'd beaten his man. Handle not quite right. Martinelli is the two Brazilians combined. Martinelli. Hard time in the Emirates Cup 2025. Victor Llorquez off the mark with a wonderful header. On for the Gunners. You go, no it didn't. But I think... Timber in the way. Rice for Odegaard. And Llorquez is on the move again. Saka calling for it. Still Victor Llorquez. Left-hand side. He just goes over. Gets a cheap free kick. We'll all be pretty happy. Madawaki gets the cross in. Close to near. Potentially here. And it comes again towards the far post. And a header. Towards the near side. Which somehow. Seems to get underneath. It was a difficult one. It was almost like he was dropping as he made contact. He was very close in though. Yeah and right behind. Went to dig out the cross maybe. Towards Timber. And a ball for Madawaki. Scoops it back towards the far post. And Saka ends up on the deck. Odegaard retrieves. Arsenal look to recycle. Saka waits. This is White. He's offside. That's what he can offer isn't it Ben White? Because... I haven't changed my mind all the way through. I think... Take it again. Llorquez is inside the area. So so close to a second. For Victor Llorquez. I think it was on Berenguer wasn't it? Yeah. He didn't like it. And if he can do something similar. Old Trafford a win tomorrow. Well it cost him 18 games last season. He's out for all the spring campaign. Yeah. As you say. No maybe not the other card. We're wishing that the game would finish. It's er... You know the pace has really dropped. The intensity of the game. All the changes by Boateng. Back to shot maybe. It's called a couple in pre-season. But both are in the spot. That's clever. This is Saka to pull it back. High ball for Zubimendi. And now it's Havertz. It's a combination play. And the ball is just kept in by Zubimendi. And he sort of backheels it back to Havertz. He's only really... Saka. And Havertz through the centre. Should get there first. And does now. Then Guy Havertz breaking forward. Can he finish off? Balance. He's just going to go over a little nudge. And then delicately. Just side foot it across the goalie. Into the left lane.