Athletic Bilbao star confirms devastating blow ahead of Champions League clash against Arsenal
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(Credit: Imago)
Michael Mongie
Mon 15 September 2025 14:30, UK
Athletic Bilbao captain Inaki Williams has confirmed a major injury blow ahead of Arsenal’s trip to the Estadio de San Mames.
Gary Neville was surprised by how good Noni Madueke is as the new signing helped Arsenal secure a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Having returned to winning ways after the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool before the international break, Arsenal now turn their attention to their Champions League campaign.
The North Londoners were one of the best teams in Europe last season and were only knocked out by the eventual winners of the competition in PSG.
Credit: Imago
With Arsenal set to travel to Spain, they will be buoyed by the news that Bilbao’s trickiest player, Nico Williams, will miss the clash through injury.
Speaking ahead of the clash, his brother and club captain, Inaki Williams shared his excitement at the start of the new European season but also his disappointment that Nico will miss the match through injury.
Inaki Williams said: “Tomorrow’s match will be the first in the Champions League for the majority of the squad.
I’m just disappointed to do it without Nico!”
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Williams has been struggling with a hip injury he sustained in Bilbao’s 1-0 defeat to Deportivo Alaves on Saturday.
Last season, the forward scored 11 times and provided seven assists for teammates and was the likeliest danger man for the La Liga outfit ahead of Tuesday’s clash.
Bukayo Saka will give Mikel Arteta a selection headache when he returns from injury, but he will not be part of the squad that will travel to Spain and is a doubt to face Manchester City at the weekend.
That said, this is another prime opportunity for Arteta to test the attacking trio of Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke.
Bilbao are not a team to underestimate, but this injury blow and Arsenal’s superior strength make this the ideal game to test alternatives if Saka picks up another injury.