It was solely a pre-season pleasant towards Villarreal, but there was nonetheless a sense of pleasure and anticipation heading to Emirates Stadium as Arsenal supporters seemed to see new £64m signing Viktor Gyokeres in motion.
Followers are desperately hoping the 27-year-old striker would be the lacking piece whose arrival permits the Gunners to carry a trophy for the primary time since 2020.
The loudest cheers earlier than kick-off have been for Gyokeres when his title was learn out within the beginning line-up. The one noise to rival it got here for the introduction of proficient 15-year-old Max Dowman.
There was expectation each time the ball went close to the Sweden worldwide and it seemed as if his team-mates have been additionally attempting to ensure Gyokeres scored on his first begin, and at his new house floor.
That didn’t occur as Arsenal misplaced 3-2 to the La Liga aspect, with one other summer time signing Christian Norgaard and captain Martin Odegaard on course in every half.
However there have been promising indicators, and the hour Gyokeres performed can be essential to his health earlier than Arsenal begin the brand new Premier League season at Manchester United on Sunday, 17 August.
Having not educated with a staff for 2 months after leaving Sporting, and with one other Arsenal sport to observe on Saturday towards Athletic Bilbao, supervisor Mikel Arteta mentioned the ahead will “100%” be prepared for the Outdated Trafford take a look at.
“I believe mentally, and understanding what he must do, he can be 100% or extra,” added the Spaniard.
“As a result of he’s so keen and so assured he can ship right away, I’ve no doubts he can be in a extremely good place.
“We already broke that line right now, as a result of I believe it was essential for him to begin a match and begin to have the sensation and the reference to the staff.
“He is been with us solely per week or so, however I already noticed lots of issues and lots of objective, particularly the way in which he was attacking in sure areas.
“So, on the whole, for lots of gamers that have not performed many minutes, we have now so much now that they will be prepared for Saturday [against Bilbao] in a significantly better situation.”
