Mikel Arteta makes Viktor Gyokeres admission after noticing reaction to Arsenal team-mates

Mikel Arteta insists Viktor Gyokeres will be "100 per cent" mentally ready to kickstart Arsenal's Premier League campaign with a bang against Manchester United. The Swede huffed and puffed on his first Emirates outing on Wednesday night as the Gunners were beaten 3-2 at home by Villarreal in their penultimate pre-season fixture.

Gyokeres was subbed after an hour but Arteta has no doubts he'll be in a position to hit the ground running this season, starting at Old Trafford.

Arteta said of his marquee £63.7million summer capture: "I think mentally and understanding what he needs to do, he will be 100 per cent or more because he's so willing. He's so confident as well that he can deliver for us straight away, I have no doubt he'll be in a really good place."

Gyokeres has endured a gruelling, whirlwind summer, but Arteta is adamant he noticed immediate chemistry with his new Arsenal team-mates on the pitch.

When asked how long it may take to click for the 27-year-old striker, the Spaniard added: "I hope just days, every day in training I think he's getting a really good feeling.

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"I think he's built connections as well outside of the pitch, which I think is really important with players that are going to help him to be in the position that he needs to get in.

"He hasn't trained really with the team for two months, so he's done five or six sessions now before today. I think he will take another step in the right direction on Saturday and he will be in a better condition."

Teenage sensation Max Dowman dazzled from the bench but Arteta revealed the 15-year-old starlet is now heading on holiday for a well-earned break. The Arsenal boss was unable to provide any assurances that Dowman will be making his top-flight debut imminently ahead of the new season.

He said of the nimble attacker: "Let's see how it goes. Let's go into Saturday, into his break as well. He needs a little break because he hasn't had any holidays really. So, in the next few days, he's going to have a break, which I think he needs. Then the following week, he'll be ready again to go."

Arsenal play Athletic Club on Saturday in their final pre-season fixture before they gear up for the trip to Manchester United. Arteta has no doubt his side are the finished article - they now just have to prove it after three second-place finishes.

He continued: "We know we need to make the next step and we're going to be better. The same as any other team, when you look at the competition, the pieces on the puzzle that they're adding, some of the ones are big ones as well. So, we're all trying to be at our best and ready to compete to win the Premier League."

Kai Havertz (muscle issue), Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard could return to face Athletic Club this weekend.

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