Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta makes Viktor Gyokeres prediction before Man Utd opener

Mikel Arteta is brimming with confidence that Viktor Gyokeres will be "100 per cent" mentally prepared to ignite Arsenal's Premier League season with a bang against Manchester United.

Despite drawing a blank after he was starved off service in his first game at the Emirates, in which Arsenal succumbed to a 3-2 defeat by Villarreal, Arteta is convinced the Swede will make an immediate impact, starting at Old Trafford.

On his marquee £63.7million summer signing, Arteta remarked: "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."

Despite a whirlwind summer, Arteta was quick to acknowledge that Gyokeres has gelled instantly with his new team-mates. In response to questions about how quick the 27-year-old forward will find his rhythm, Arteta optimistically replied: "I hope just days, every day in training I think he's getting a really good feeling.

"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."

Max Dowman, the teenage star, shone as a substitute, but Arteta has announced that the 15-year-old is set for a holiday. The Arsenal manager stopped short of confirming when Dowman might make his Premier League debut soon.

Regarding the young forward, Arteta remarked: "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 are preparing for their last pre-season game against Athletic Club on Saturday, ahead of their upcoming Premier League opener at Manchester United. Arteta believes his team is ready to demonstrate their quality after finishing second three times in a row.

Arteta added: "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, who has been dealing with a muscle issue, along with Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard, may be fit to play against Athletic Club this weekend.