'He's going to destroy you' - Mikel Arteta lavishes praise on Viktor Gyokeres after big-money summer signing opened Arsenal account against Athletic Club

Gyokeres opened his Arsenal account with a stunning header from Martin Zubimendi's cross as he lasted 71 minutes on the pitch. Kai Havertz, who replaced the Swedish striker, too, found the back of the net as the German scored the third and final goal of the match in the 82nd minute. 

Arsenal boss Arteta was elated to see his new striker scoring just a week before the 2025-26 campaign kicks off. Lavishing praise on the 27-year-old, the Spanish coach said: "That’s his nature. I think everything that he does - his movement, the way he times his runs, the way he predicts the next move, where the space can be and where the ball is going to land, that’s the instinct that he has. That’s why he's scored so many goals in the last few seasons, so that’s not a coincidence, it’s his ability and he’s constantly looking for it.

"I think he pins both centre-backs. He’s a player that, when you leave him with the space one against one, he’s going to destroy you. So he’s going to create a lot of space as well for us and there is the moment that, in any situation, there is a player there that can score a goal."

Arteta was also happy to see both the strikers in his squad among goals, as he hinted he could use Havertz and Gyokeres together in the starting lineup during the course of the upcoming season. The Spaniard added: "They can play together. Kai can play in different positions, as well. I think it elevates the quality in the squad, the goal threat that we have in the team, the options that we have to change and provide oppositions with a lot of problems. It is great to see both of them scoring, both of them in such good form and it’s a good problem to have."

The North London club will kick off the new season on August 17 as they visit Old Trafford to face Manchester United.