Arsenal will face Athletic Bilbao in the Emirates Cup after suffering back-to-back defeats in pre-season, and this is the team Mikel Arteta has selected.
This match presents Arteta’s side with a crucial opportunity to regain confidence and signal their readiness for the new campaign. Supporters are eager to see a convincing performance that sets the tone for what is expected to be a pivotal season. The Gunners have finished in second place for the last three consecutive years, and this campaign is widely seen as the one in which they must finally secure the top spot.
Arsenal’s Pre-Season Form and Expectations
The build-up to this match has been mixed for Arsenal. They have shown moments of quality in earlier games, but recent results have raised concerns. Losses to Tottenham and Villarreal have dented pre-season morale, making this fixture even more important as a platform to restore momentum. A victory would not only improve confidence but also send a strong message to upcoming opponents that Arsenal are ready to challenge for honours.
Athletic Bilbao’s Struggles and the Challenge Ahead
Athletic Bilbao come into this match in poor form, having lost their last five games, including two on the same day against Liverpool. This run of results suggests vulnerabilities that Arsenal could exploit, especially with the game taking place at the Emirates Stadium. However, pre-season games can be unpredictable, and complacency would be dangerous.
The Emirates Cup represents more than just a friendly for Arsenal. It is a chance to lay down a marker before the competitive fixtures begin, to integrate tactical adjustments, and to give fans belief in their title ambitions. For the players, it is about proving readiness and sending a clear signal that they are prepared to take the final step from contenders to champions.
Why no Dowman
Perhaps he’s got summer holidays school homework to get done😊
Ah that explains his absence
With Google AI available he should have finished his homework by now!
He will be back soon
Good line up. That’s our starting 11, but for Lewis-skelly who’ll be sharing the spot with Cala if he’s able to stay fit. Ben white also. Havaert is injured.
Coyg
Calafiori’s fitness is a big concern. I hope the big European clubs will still be interested in him before the transfer window closes
Arteta mentioned he was entitled to a short break after a busy summer.
Hope gyokeres scores today.
Come on you gunners!!!
gotanidea,
Dowman’s been given a short break, which Arteta hinted at after the Villarreal game.
Looks pretty close to best 11, let’s see what they can produce
Come on you gunners !!!
Love Gyokeres to score today.
At the Emirates (who’s a lucky boy?)
For those who can’t make it to the Emirates, I’m going to take some photos and send in an article…. hope it will be of interest, especially as I’m at Club level and it’s totally different to my normal seat.
Let’s hope we see a win – COYG
It’s a fab view there isn’t it Ken.
Wonderful GB, is that where you sit?
The new sponsors, Guinness and Asahi, are prominent in the lounge areas.
Half time and it’s good to see two completely different goals.
Our defence looks solid and Martinelli is making lots of space for himself.
We have to remember that Bilbao are not Liverpool however and the build up is slow but careful.
A really big crowd here, but lots of empty boxes.
Looking forward to watching Gyokeres in the second half at the North Bank end.
Must it always be Saka on the left and Odegaard in the attacking midfield? That is one of Arteta’s biggest weak points. The rare two times we defeated Manchester City in the league, right footers , Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli started on the right of attack respectively. We’ve never beaten them with his normal luxury left footers on the right of attack. Gyokeres and Usak will need such arrangements – remember that Murphy being on the right of attack is the major reason Isak thrives. Nwaneri also need a right footer on the right of attack in other to do well in the attacking midfield position.
Arsenal management should never make a mistake of selling any of high speed Martinelli and Nelson. Should Nelson be sold, ONLY LEAO OF AC MILAN CAN REPLACE HIM.
Finally we see our starting 11, good chance to see the improvements and get a good view of zubimendi and gyokeres.
Excellent lineup
If we don’t get anymore signings this summer, this could possibly be our best lineup. Only time will tell
Trossard unfortunately injured.
Looks good. Should be an interesting game as Athletic are no pushovers.
Clean sheet vital today.
There’s a greedy line in footballs defend attack reality you can flirt with, but cannot cross, and it looks to me too much risk is now being taken in the tactical lay out that moment we lose the ball, not enough concern about how easy the counter will be. Our 2025 defensive crisis is simple pass into an ocean of uncovered space, such a head start leopard’s or even Saliba close and get challenge in. Not necessarily blame the players for me, if it’s the managers choice of shape and instructions to push a high line and focus more on supporting attack than focus on space down the channels or follow the runners.
Why on earth would any manager tell his players to play high and narrow, and focus more on attack support than covering empty channels? but they do! It’s the modern game – Pep and lead the way in flirting with the risk/reward line. Call me old fashioned, but I love a good battling cleanie me. Clean sheet means any naff goal you scramble is a winner. If we concede – especially first and far too easily with simple channel ball finding so much space – then we need to score twice that game. Concede twice, the performance needs three goals in it that day. Are the player’s rubbish, or asked to take too much risk? Too many losses in a sequence, confidence holed below waterline, morale down quicker than the titanic, regardless how talented or skilful your squad you are into “the slump”.
I’ll take a solid 0.0 that shows we have learnt from our defensive mistakes and restore some confidence.
How are we playing guys
Match is not getting telecast in my country
Just going through sky commentary
1-0, Mr Gyokeres is off the mark.
Not watching the game. How did VG score? I hope it’s a screamer 🤗
Header. Good goal.
Gee, Gyokeres can nail headers after all. Loved the cross from Zubi.
Gyokeressss
2-0, now Saka joins in the fun.
What a difference two goals (now) make. Glad Gyokeres scored.
Any links for the game been trying cricfy and cip box not showing
Very good goal by Gyokeres and he’s not known for his heading. Routine one for Saka with great build up.
A great long cross from Zubimendi and an excellent header from Gyokeres
After conceding three goals through our half-spaces against Villareal, Arteta used a double-pivot formation with Rice dropping deeper and Calafiori moving up
The tactical change works for now, until the other EPL managers find a solution for it
That means Arteta used a 4-1-2-3 formation. Great.
4-2-3-1
Odegaard received the ball and immediately tried to find Gyokeres. Yes, more of that please.
Great goal Havertz
3-0, and Havertz now gets in on the act. Just give us the League now. 😂
3-0, and Havertz now gets in on the act. Just give us the League now. 😂
Well played boys, a good 3-0 win. And our second trophy in the bag to go with the one we won V AC Milan on our recent tour.
Now all we need to do now is win the League and the Champions League, and it would be an okay season.🤣😂👍
Derek
A famous (unique) quadruple, no less.
Bertie,
The drinks are on me. 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺👍
Piece of cake (you thought I was going to say pizza).
Bruised Banana,
Will there be any cheese with that cake. 😂🤣👍
Only on the pizza.🍕
Bruised Banana,
I’ll tell you what,
You provide the Pizza🍕. And I’ll provide the Cupcake🧁.
But we’ll have to go half’s on the drinks🍺👍
It’s a deal Derek!
Bruised Banana,
Nice one!👍