Arsenal fit raise trophy for Emirates Stadium on Saturday, even though na friendly one, as dem wan defend their Emirates Cup title against Athletic Bilbao for their last pre-season match this summer.
Mikel Arteta boys still get some things wey dem wan correct after two back-to-back losses to Tottenham and Villarreal, but their visitors sef no dey in better shape — dem don lose five straight friendly matches.
Match Preview
Before Villarreal come North London on Wednesday, the Spanish team never win any of their first six friendly matches this summer. But Arsenal defence still open anyhow as Nicolas Pepe and him guys cut dem open.
Pepe score first for Villarreal before goals from Karl Etta Eyong, Christian Norgaard, Arnaut Danjuma and Martin Odegaard make am a five-goal thriller wey end 3-2 against Arsenal.
Penalty shootout loss 4-3 to Marcelino boys still add pain for Arsenal fans as dem watch their team defence scatter, and attack no dey too creative.
One better side be the performance of 15-year-old Max Dowman wey win penalty for Odegaard to score. Viktor Gyokeres wey start him first game no really shine, and Arsenal new boys get just one more match to blend before season start.
Since 2007, Arsenal don win the last three editions of the Emirates Cup, beating Sevilla 6-0 (2022), Monaco on penalties (2023) and Lyon 2-0 last year.
Spanish teams dey always show for this tournament, but na only Valencia win am before (2014). This go be Athletic Bilbao first time for the Emirates Cup.
Bilbao sef dey carry bad form — five straight defeats, including double losses to Liverpool on the same day. But dem tie Nico Williams down with 10-year contract this summer, block Arsenal and Barcelona from signing am.
Williams go still play against Arsenal as Bilbao wan use this game build small pride before La Liga opener vs Sevilla on August 17.
Arsenal Friendly Form:
W W W L L
Athletic Bilbao Friendly Form:
W L L L L L
Team News
Gyokeres make him first start vs Villarreal because Kai Havertz get small injury, but Arteta talk say Havertz go ready for weekend. Calafiori and Trossard fit return, but Gabriel Jesus still dey out with ACL injury. Noni Madueke miss last penalty vs Villarreal but fit still start.
Athletic Bilbao no buy plenty players because of their Basque-only policy. Dem spend £10.5m sign right-back Jesus Areso from Osasuna to replace Oscar de Marcos wey retire. The Williams brothers and Oihan Sancet go lead attack.
Possible Lineups
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Mosquera, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Madueke.
Athletic Bilbao: Simon; Areso, Vivian, Lekue, Berchiche; Jauregizar, Vesga; I. Williams, Sancet, N. Williams; Guruzeta.
TPB Prophet Prediction:
Arsenal 3-2 Athletic Bilbao