Mikel Arteta warned rivals that Viktor Gyokeres can ‘destroy’ defences after he scored his first Arsenal goal in their final pre-season fixture.
The Gunners signed the £64million striker from Sporting Lisbon last month, ending a long wait of adding a No9 to their ranks.
Gyokeres made a 13-minute cameo on his debut for the north London club in a 1-0 defeat to north London rivals Tottenham in Hong Kong, before also failing to net against Villarreal on Wednesday.
Yet he made it third time lucky on Saturday with the visit of Athletic Bilbao. The 27-year-old netted the opener in their 3-0 Emirates Cup win with a thumping header from fellow summer signing Martin Zubimendi's cross.
Gyokeres scored just five times with his head for Sporting across 102 appearances in Portugal — leading to jibes from rival supporters that Arsenal's new frontman can't net headers.
However, he proved doubters wrong with his goal. Bukayo Saka netted just moments later to put the Gunners 2-0 ahead at half-time before Kai Havertz added a third late on.
Arsenal face Manchester United in their Premier League opening match next Sunday.
Arteta said: ‘That first goal is always very important. The way he took it as well, really well.
‘Everything that he does, his movement, timing, the way he predicates the next move, where the space is going to be, that’s the instinct he has. That’s why he’s scored so many goals in the last few seasons.
‘He pins both centre backs. He’s a player that if you leave him with space one against one, he’s gonna destroy you so he’s going to create a lot of space for us.
‘In any situation there is a player there that can score a goal.’
sahcmotuy
0
fuseki
tedaikruy
2
Did they ask you all this Mr Arteta? Why are you taking too much like this?
joobelmpsu
0
Many of Manchester United fans are in deep fears and panic now
hahaha
joobelmpsu
0
On Sunday 17th Maguire and Dalot don't forget your hankies because Dengerous man is coming to destroy your defence be aware.
are you so sure
Kizbeikrs
2
United will be busy marking gyokeres and saka will siuuuuuuuu😂🤔🤔
Maddinpuz
1
Arteta is a big clown 🤡 for making a statement like this for a player scoring his first goal. First goal doesn’t matter what matter is how many title you win.
notice that there is only one trophy for premier ,one for UEFA ,one for carabou, one one one for all the races so no and no club can always take of them always, so for arteta he has brought arsenal back on form at least for this long in three seasons , if he is praising the ability of his player he is right and proud to be a Coach so congs to my arsenal fans
raeacdeprz
0
Jealousy is not good lol, if he had not scored, you still says arsenal signed a flop, now that he scored you still have a reason to criticize. bad heart 💔. in any way you will face his wrath this season
hahahahahaha will see what happens
Ciyaceorz
1
Victor will destroy Teams out of EPL , But EPL is the real Test , so will see about that .
Jealousy is not good lol, if he had not scored, you still says arsenal signed a flop, now that he scored you still have a reason to criticize. bad heart 💔. in any way you will face his wrath this season
Ciyaceorz
1
What's wrong with what Arteta said? So a coach praising his player is now a sin, let me tell you anyone insulting Arteta here is a fool, a big one in fact a very big fool.
you correct my brother
Ciyaceorz
0
A braggart. Just first goal scored and heaped praise on Gyokeres. He will be marked closely.
if he had not scored, you will still blame arsenal and now that he scored you still jealous 😭😭😭
zewdemnpru
3
is he better than Henry 😞
is Henry still playing sometimes I don't know how you guys think.flat brains everywhere. if you don't have anything reasonable to comment you better shut up your 👄.
Weoabclmsy
0
Many of Manchester United fans are in deep fears and panic now
Are you sure? Perhaps the other way round, Arsenal fans are wary of Sesko's offensive skill. Remember MU are unbeaten last 4 games.
hemdilopst
2
congratulations to arsenal family at last we hv gotten our top ma in front of goal nobody should crucify arteta he is a very good coach and he has the right to praise his plyers
Weoabclmsy
0
A braggart. Just first goal scored and heaped praise on Gyokeres. He will be marked closely.
Vaecimprst
5
What's wrong with what Arteta said? So a coach praising his player is now a sin, let me tell you anyone insulting Arteta here is a fool, a big one in fact a very big fool.
muhceilrst
1
I saw his ability to strike especially with Saka in good form united will definitely receive a good beating a head,no doubt
dawbklmnot
1
is he better than Henry 😞
zizcenrsyz
2
Ekisenge kya Man u kyeralikirire kubanga ebijja bizibu
lepmoprstz
1
Victor will destroy Teams out of EPL , But EPL is the real Test , so will see about that .
Man city is a Moroccan team 😂😂😂
ColinsGooner
3
pray for Man united the ides of August are here
Mewcempruz
0
Arteta is a big clown 🤡 for making a statement like this for a player scoring his first goal. First goal doesn’t matter what matter is how many title you win.
don't worry, leave him, that will make his team more laughable when they begin to eat back their words
raeacdeprz
3
Victor will destroy Teams out of EPL , But EPL is the real Test , so will see about that .
Vieaeklmtz
0
May you also talk about your trophies
bayabikpr
0
Too much noise!
Bueaeinrt
0
Many of Manchester United fans are in deep fears and panic now
Exactly
Bueaeinrt
2
On Sunday 17th Maguire and Dalot don't forget your hankies because Dengerous man is coming to destroy your defence be aware.
Vaeckrtuy
3
Many of Manchester United fans are in deep fears and panic now
Niucikmpru
2
Arteta, started to talk nonsense. You win the EPL and talk later. Shame in you without win anything althogh sent a lot.
numelstuy
0
Can you get Rodrygo and sell martinelli
me think a me alone saying that big up
Hueabcekmt
3
Can you get Rodrygo and sell martinelli
faith1984
5
Arteta have been issuing rivals warnings seasons after seasons but has no tangible trophies to show for it😂😂😂😂😂
Fubbdeoprt
1
is thats all some of you jackasses come here to chat about Arteta you all dont have anything to talk about
Bhadguy5
2
A lot of you are in pains 😁
Fubbdeoprt
1
go away Arteta you annoying little fly.
you are worse than a fly with your shitty mouth
jasbdeksy
2
go away Arteta you annoying little fly.
Rudceklmnr
1
he will destroy very weak defences
Isahia77
0
see this block head coach oo issuing warning empty head like you
Litelntz
1
YOWW THIS YUTE HAS MOVED FROM YAPPING ABOUT PLAYING BIG 6TEAMS SO EARLY IN THE SEASON TO SENDING OUT WARNING ALL BECAUSE OF 1PLAYER WOWWW!!!
lambdlmrt
0
Arteta is a big clown 🤡 for making a statement like this for a player scoring his first goal. First goal doesn’t matter what matter is how many title you win.
Just face your team, it's easy and you can't find a team to be there football manager mumu
heobdlprsz
0
Arteta is a big clown 🤡 for making a statement like this for a player scoring his first goal. First goal doesn’t matter what matter is how many title you win.
he's right...... the arrogance with arteta is crazy
zocacemn
0
Arteta is a big clown 🤡 for making a statement like this for a player scoring his first goal. First goal doesn’t matter what matter is how many title you win.
jstfu you know nothing about football
6bossjuju
5
Arteta is a big clown 🤡 for making a statement like this for a player scoring his first goal. First goal doesn’t matter what matter is how many title you win.
stands
3
😂😂😂😂😂😂