Good news and a positive development for Arsenal as they kick off their Champions League campaign! Athletic Club’s coach, Ernesto Valverde, admitted that their main priority isn’t Europe this time around. This should make things easier for Mikel Arteta and the team when they head to Bilbao, as reported by Football.London. Yet, Arsenal must stay sharp to capitalize and leverage.
Valverde’s Frank Admission
After a 1-0 defeat to Alaves, Valverde prioritized and made it pivotal on La Liga over the Champions League. “Winning the Champions League is unimaginable for us,” he told Marca, signaling a secondary focus on Europe. The injury problems at Athletic, including Nico Williams’ muscle problem, mean they aren’t at full strength for their first European games in a decade.
Arsenal’s Robust Squad Depth
In the Arsenal and Athletic Club saga, Arteta’s squad is mixing veterans like Bukayo Saka with youngsters like Ethan Nwaneri, granting all-purpose versatility, as noted in their Champions League squad reveal.
For instance, Arsenal’s strong start, earning six points from three Premier League games, showcases their form, per a recent performance breakdown.
Arsenal & Athletic Club: Tactical Advantage in Bilbao
This game will show how much Arsenal has grown since their semi-final appearance last season. Their opponent’s focus on league games gives Arsenal a chance to start strong and gain momentum, especially with tougher fixtures like a potential PSV showdown looming. Arteta’s possession-based approach and strategy could exploit Athletic Club’s vulnerabilities.
Author’s Note
Arsenal vs Athletic Club is a good opportunity to demonstrate their European ambitions, particularly with their opponent possibly inattentive.
Despite Athletic having players unavailable, Arsenal also must remain concentrated. With a well-balanced squad and a sound strategy by Arteta, Arsenal can begin well.
The combination of new and experienced players in the team suggests that they may be long contenders for this season. They must perform well from the beginning and not think that Athletic Club are weak. More challenging encounters will come, and they will have to perform well consistently in order to be considered strong challengers.
