Viktor Gyokeres scored his first Arsenal goal in a 3-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao.

Gyokeres directed Martin Zubimendi’s precise cross past goalkeeper Unai Simon and celebrated with his signature move in his second outing at the Emirates.

The forward, who joined for £64 million from Sporting Lisbon, played a role in the second goal’s creation by linking up with Declan Rice. Rice then connected with Gabriel Martinelli, who took advantage of Simon’s misstep, setting up Bukayo Saka for the finish.

Here, Daily Mail Sport‘s ISAAN KHAN reveals the five things he learned… 

Viktor Gyokeres scored his first goal for Arsenal in a 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao

The £64million striker pulled out his trademark celebration after heading home

There were plenty of positives for Mikel Arteta ahead of the start of the new campaign

Promising early signs for Gyokeres

Viktor Gyokeres has made his presence known. The latest £64 million acquisition has seen his team mates face challenges in effectively utilizing their new striking option in recent pre-season scrimmages.

Yet, there was a real reflection of the qualities the Swede brings to this team.

The 27-year-old netted with a first-half header, courtesy of Zubimendi’s impressive cross, showing much greater involvement than during the 3-2 loss against Villarreal.

In the earlier matchup, Gyokeres demonstrated energy, though hindered by a lack of opportunities. In contrast, against Athletic Bilbao, he was actively engaged and significantly impacted play.

Those calls from supporters, stretching back to last summer, for a striker were well warranted indeed.

He executed numerous aggressive runs to the byline, expertly pulling back passes to colleagues, or drove powerfully down the left wing, pushing the defensive line to its limits.

In the area, he was desperate to affect play. He had a poor shot scuffed into the ground on 21 minutes off a Bukayo Saka cross, but he did not let this deter him.

Gyokeres soon after scored that header, and then carried on in the same vein in the second period, striking a post with a diving header from Noni Madueke’s cross.

It equates to the piece Mikel Arteta has been missing for some time: a striker who can make things happen.

It is still early days, yet the signs are looking promising.

Gyokeres was markedly more present against Bilbao and the early signs are promising

His display proves he may be the piece Arteta has been missing for quite some time

Tireless Zubimendi oozes class

Arsenal were already giddy over the acquisition of Martin Zubimendi, having battled off Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

You can see why, the diminutive Spaniard darting around like a wasp to retrieve lost balls, rob opponents and pass the ball out quickly.

It was a great display, and one which serves as a reminder to Premier League teams of the quality they will be up against when facing Arsenal. He really is the Gunners’ version of Rodri.

Time and again, he would take an opponent by surprise, diving in with a challenge at pace to take the ball away in close quarters.

Zubimendi on the ball played as though time itself had frozen, his quality allowing himself that extra time to dictate play.

His sumptuous cross to set up Gyokeres’ goal topped it off, exploiting Bilbao’s failure to close him down and whipping the ball right on the money.

The Spaniard plays in a position which can often been overlooked.

Yet the Gunners know all too well the quality they have purchased, and how crucial Zubimendi will be going forward.

It was easy to see why Arsenal were so giddy over the signing of Martin Zubimendi

Arsenal target quiet 

The man Arsenal had courted earlier this summer in Nico Williams did make it to the Emirates eventually – but in the colours of Athletic Bilbao.

The north London club’s desire to bring in a reinforcement for the left wing is no secret, and Williams was on their list.

But the Gunners’ hopes of luring the forward were ended when he last month penned an eight-year contract extension to stay at Athletic Bilbao until 2035.

Williams had a quiet afternoon, partly because his side’s midfield could not get a strangle hold at all in a game which Arsenal dominated.

It left him isolated and with scant chance to drive at his opponents, before being substituted on 64 minutes.

A shame in the end for Williams, a talented player who, if given the ball, would have surely shown the skills which put him on the Gunners’ radar.

A contract to 2035, though, puts paid to any move.

Nico Williams, targeted by Arsenal this summer, was quiet before being hooked on 64 minutes

Titans reunited at the back

With Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Manchester United next Sunday, Gabriel starting alongside William Saliba was a real boost.

The Brazilian underwent a hamstring operation in April and came on in the second half on Wednesday. His start was a further indication of his match fitness going into the new season.

He looked at ease, not harbouring signs of being held back, nor affected by injury.

It would be remiss to expect him at 100 per cent already, yet he battled in his usual way and looks certain to start against Man United.

Gabriel was a typical nuisance on corner kicks and marshalled the backline well with his sidekick Saliba.

He physically had not lost any presence in duels and was not afraid of such scenarios, a key sign when returning from injury.

There’s a clear telepathy when both Saliba and Gabriel play. In fact, Bilbao had scant chances in the attacking third because Arsenal’s backline was well-orchestrated.

Gabriel’s return was a real boost to Arteta and he looked at ease back in the defence

There’s a clear telepathy when both William Saliba and Gabriel play together

Bulked up Havertz on target

Having missed most of the end of last season’s campaign due to a hamstring tear, the return of Kai Havertz deserves a mention.

The German, looking noticeably more muscular from his recovery process, came on in the 71st minute and had a quick impact.

Eleven minutes later, latching on to a downfield Saka pass, Havertz brushed aside two defenders to march into the area and finish home.

The goal will have done him a world of good, having seen the impact of new man Gyokeres.

There’s a healthy dose of competition to be had in the centre forward position.

Havertz provides a different option to Gyokeres and will be champing at the bit to keep his spot. It’s an intriguing prospect.