The traditional pre-season Emirates Cup takes place this weekend, with Arsenal taking on Athletic Club in their final pre-season fixture.
It’s the last chance for Mikel Arteta’s side to impress before they run out at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, and there are certainly one or two in the Gunners changing room who will feel as though they have a point to prove.
It hasn’t been an entirely convincing pre-season for an Arsenal side that is expected to make a strong title challenge. They’ve lost their last two friendlies, going down 1-0 to Tottenham in Hong Kong, before suffering a 3-2 loss against Villarreal back in North London in midweek.
They are up against La Liga opposition again on Saturday, and like Villarreal, Athletic Club are a side that the Gunners could potentially meet in this season’s Champions League.
Ernesto Valverde has clearly been keen for his team to test themselves against elite-level English opponents as Los Leones gear up for a return to Europe’s top competition, and they played two friendlies against Liverpool on Monday at Anfield, losing both by 4-1 and 3-2 margins. Athletic have now lost five straight friendlies in a disappointing pre-season.
How the bookies view it: Gunners expected to turn on the style
The bookies are backing Arsenal to bounce back here, with Arteta’s men priced at 4/9 to win the game with Boylesports. You can also back the draw at 11/4, while Athletic are available at 15/4 to follow in the footsteps of their domestic rivals Villarreal by winning at the Emirates.
Recent head-to-head: Unfamiliar opponents for Arsenal
Athletic Club have faced six different English clubs in European competition in the past, including Manchester United who they were beaten by in last season’s Europa League semi-finals. However, they’ve never previously been paired with Arsenal.
Players to watch: All eyes on Gyokeres
New signing Viktor Gyokeres made his first start in Arsenal colours in midweek, but he had little impact on the game and was replaced on 63 minutes. Arteta will want to give the Swedish striker more minutes on Saturday as he bids to build up his fitness ahead of the Premier League opener, and the 27-year-old would dearly love to open his account.
The visitors have plenty of attacking threats of their own though, with Spain international Nico Williams their star player on the left flank.
Predicted Lineups
Kai Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard are expected to be fit enough to feature in this game for Arsenal, but Gabriel Jesus is still out injured.
Oihan Sancet and Benat Prados are missing for the visitors, who are likely to name a strong lineup with La Liga also starting next weekend.
Arsenal: Raya, White, Mosquera, Saliba, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Madueke.
Athletic Club: Simon, Yuri, Vivian, Lekue, Areso, Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta, N. Williams, Berenguer, I. Williams, Guruzeta.
Anything else catch the eye?
Two of Arsenal’s last three friendlies have ended with 3-2 scorelines, and with Athletic short on central defensive options right now, there’s every chance the goals will flow again here.
The Basques conceded seven goals across 180 minutes against Liverpool earlier in the week, and you can back there to be over 2.5 goals in this game at 8/13 with Boylesports.
You can also get odds of 21/10 for Arsenal and both teams to score. Meanwhile, the Gunners are priced at 11/4 with Bet365 to win the game by one goal, attractive odds given Athletic have lost four of their last five friendlies by precisely that margin.
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