Why Athletic Club could pose a problem for Arsenal in the Champions League | OneFootball

Arsenal will visit Bilbao next week to play Athletic Club in the first match day of the 2025/26 Champions League group stage.

On paper it seems a tough – but winnable – fixture, whereas in reality it could prove very difficult. Athletic Club are one of only two clubs in La Liga to have made a perfect start to the league campaign.

They have won all three of their opening games, a feat only they and Real Madrid have managed. This is just the fifth time in the club’s history that they have won their first three games of a season.

Since Ernesto Valverde returned to the Basque club in the summer of 2022, they have improved each season. They finished eighth in 2022/23, before coming fifth and winning the Copa del Rey in 2023/24. Last season, Los Leones finished in fourth place to secure a return to the Champions League for the first time in over a decade, since Valverde’s previous spell at the club.

It seems this term they are again moving in the right direction. Nico Williams deciding during the summer to stay at San Mamés has played a crucial role in the mood around the club.

He was the subject of interest from Barcelona for most of the transfer window and it seemed he would make the move to the Camp Nou, but with the uncertainty surrounding their financial situation and ability to register players, Williams turned down the opportunity to leave.

It was huge news for the Spanish side. He registered a total of 18 goals and assists in all competitions last campaign and was one of their best players.

After rejecting the advances of Barcelona, Williams then put pen to paper on a new 10-year deal with Athletic Club in July.

He has started this campaign with a goal and two assists from the three league games played, and carried on his excellent form from last season.

Unfortunately for Valverde, Williams picked up an injury whilst playing for Spain during the international break. He went down in the first half against Turkey after sustaining a groin injury in his left leg.

He has not been ruled out of the Champions League opener yet, but is a serious doubt.

Elsewhere on the pitch, Dani Vivián and Aitor Paredes have formed a solid central defensive partnership, whilst Unai Simón has put his injury issues behind him. As such, Valverde’s side have only conceded three goals from their three games so far.

One of Arsenal‘s biggest strengths is also their defence, and the Gunners have only conceded once all season.

Arsenal have been accused at times of being too defensive, and not brave enough, whilst Athletic Club have won all three of their games by a one goal margin.

All signs point towards next Tuesday’s meeting being a tense and cagey affair.

Despite the brilliant league start, Valverede has remained calm and played it down. “We’ve started well and we’re happy. That said, I’ve seen that every match has been very even and we’ll have to fight and know exactly how to play each game. But, we’re happy with the perfect record so far, that’s for sure.”

Athletic Club visited The Emirates in pre-season, and Arsenal comfortably ran out 3-0 winners on home soil. The loss was one of seven in a row in what was a horrific pre-season for the Spaniards.

Fans were worried and expecting a disappointing season, but their form since the competitive games resumed could not have been more different.

Athletic Club will now welcome Arsenal to San Mamés full of confidence and belief that they can get a positive result.