Arsenal entertain Athletic Bilbao in their final pre-season friendly before the start of the Premier League next season. Mikel Arteta’s side have struggle in pre-season, suffering back-to-back defeats to Tottenham and Villarreal, with the Basque side likely to reveal how ready the Gunners are to challenge champions Liverpool for the title.

Viktor Gyökeres' first Arsenal start couldn't prevent his new club from suffering a 3-2 defeat to Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

Arsenal were naive in their defending and paid a painful price, manager Mikel Arteta said after his side's 3-2 friendly defeat against Villarreal left them with back-to-back pre-season losses.

Gyokeres was quick to get his shot off, but from a tight angle, Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior was able to keep it out. Other than that, Gyokeres was largely quiet as he made his first start for Arsenal.

Villarreal have signed Ghana international Thomas Partey on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract with Arsenal, the LaLiga club said on Thursday.

Ghana international Thomas Partey has joined La Liga club Villarreal following his release from Arsenal.The 32-year-old, who signed for Arsenal in a £45m deal from Atletico Madrid in 2020, left the Gunners when his contract expired at the end of June.

Villarreal have agreed to sign former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, days after he was granted conditional bail following an appearance in court on rape and sexual assault charges in London, the club has confirmed.