‘We like to win’ - Martin Zubimendi sends warning to Man Utd before Premier League opener after Arsenal end pre-season with crushing victory over Athletic Club

The summer signing was speaking after Arsenal eased past Athletic Club 3-0 in the Emirates Cup final on Saturday, with the midfielder bagging an assist for Viktor Gyokeres' goal. The ex-Real Sociedad star said it was important to end their pre-season on a high note and that the "best is yet to come" ahead of their trip to United for their Premier League opener.

He told Arsenal's website: "It's a good end to pre-season, but the best is yet to come. In the end, the league is the league. We like to compete; we like to win. I'm very happy that it's starting now."

On settling in at Arsenal, the Spaniard added: "It was very easy - the team made it very easy for me. I think the rest of the team have integrated very well, I think the people on and off the pitch are very friendly. [Declan and Martin Odegaard] are top players, the best in their position. It's time to learn, adapt and enjoy it above all. It was an important game because we came from two defeats. It's true that they were friendlies, but this club doesn't understand defeats in any context, so it was an important game to win and start the pre-season with a good feeling."

Arsenal are hoping to end their 21-year wait for a Premier League trophy, with manager Mikel Arteta hopeful summer signings Zubimendi and Gyokeres can finally get them over the line after a number of near misses. If they want to achieve that goal, they need to beat United at Old Trafford - a place where they often struggle to get a positive result.

Arteta's Arsenal start the new season away at United on Sunday before hosting newly-promoted Leeds United the following weekend. They round off the month with a crunch clash against Premier League title holders Liverpool at Anfield on August 31.