Player ratings: Arsenal 3-0 Athletic Bilbao

Arsenal ended pre-season with a convincing win over La Liga side Athletic Bilbao.

First-half goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka put Arsenal in control.

The Gunners were comfortably the better side and looked in much better form and rhythm than in their 3-2 defeat to Villarreal on Wednesday night.

This lineup looked closer to what we would expect to see in Arsenal’s opening fixture at Old Trafford next Sunday, with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard partnering newcomer Martin Zubimendi in the midfield.

Arsenal player ratings

David Raya – 7

Jurrien Timber (off at 63 for Myles Lewis-Skelly’) – 7 – Moved to left-back at half-time.

William Saliba – 7

Gabriel (off at 63′ for Mosquera) – 7

Riccardo Calafiori (off at 45′ for White) – 7 – Please stay fit! Calafiori looked a bit shaky defensively but so exciting and unpredictable going forward. He’s key for this Arsenal squad.

Martin Zubimendi – 9 – Sublime assists, 94% pass accuracy, 4 tackles, 0 fouls – he was pretty much faultless today. If he plays like that in the Premier League, he’ll be one of the best signings of the season.

Declan Rice (off at 83′ for Merino) – 7 – Interestingly dropped deeper in the build up, sometimes forming a back three with the centre backs and shuttling alongside Zubimendi.

Martin Odegaard (off at 83′ for Nwaneri) – 7

Bukayo Saka – 8.5 – Goal and assist, 90 minutes under his belt – Saka looking as dangerous as ever.

Viktor Gyokeres (off at 70′ for Havertz) – 8.5 – A great day for Viktor. Some great link up play, an excellent headed goal and hit the post with another header.

Gabriel Martinelli (off at 45′ for Martinelli’) – 6

Substitutions

Noni Madueke (on at 45′ for Martinelli) – 7.5 – Showed flashes that will see him push for a starting spot on the left wing, nearly got an assist if Gyokeres’ headed effort off the post had been inches to the right.

Ben White (on at 45′ for Calafiori) – 7

Cristhian Mosquera (on at 63′ for Gabriel) – 7

Myles Lewis-Skelly (on at 63′ for Timber) – 7

Kai Havertz (on at 70′ for Gyokeres) – 8 – Off the bench to score a goal with a powerful solo run from his own half. He looks big and strong and alongside Gyokeres, Arsenal now look to have serious firepower at centre forward.

Mikel Merino (on at 83′ for Rice) – N/A

Ethan Nwaneri (on at 83′ for Odegaard) – N/A