Arsenal Clash with Athletic Club: Emirates Cup Showdown - Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
Arsenal welcome the Emirates Cup to their home ground this Saturday afternoon, as Athletic Club seeks to become the first away team to claim victory since Lyon achieved this feat in 2019.
The North London side has secured this preseason trophy for three consecutive years, and has emerged victorious in eight of the 13 editions since the tournament began in 2007. Previously featuring four teams, the competition now involves just two clubs.
Mikel Arteta has experienced a mixed summer regarding match outcomes, suffering losses to Tottenham Hotspur and, more recently, Villarreal. However, Arsenal have secured victories over AC Milan and Newcastle United.
Nevertheless, with the new Premier League campaign just one week away and the Gunners eager to take the next step in 2025–26, fans will be hoping for a dominant display from their team in this fixture.
They face an Athletic Club side that secured fourth place in La Liga last term and reached the Europa League semifinals. Despite keeping hold of star winger Nico Williams, the Spanish visitors have endured a difficult preseason campaign.
They have suffered defeat in their last five matches, including both encounters with Liverpool this past Monday.
Here is Sports Illustrated's comprehensive guide to the Emirates Cup.
What Time Does Arsenal vs. Athletic Club Kick-Off?
Arsenal vs. Athletic Club Head-to-Head Record (All Games)
This marks the inaugural meeting between Arsenal and Athletic Club.
Current Form (All Competitions)
Arsenal | Athletic Club |
|---|---|
Arsenal 2–3 Villarreal - 06/08/25 | Liverpool 3–2 Athletic Club - 04/08/25 |
Arsenal 0–1 Tottenham - 31/07/25 | Liverpool 4–1 Athletic Club - 04/08/25 |
Arsenal 3–2 Newcastle - 27/07/25 | Racing Santander 2–1 Athletic Club - 30/07/25 |
Milan 0–1 Arsenal - 23/07/25 | PSV Eindhoven 2–1 Athletic Club - 26/07/25 |
Southampton 1–2 Arsenal - 25/05/25 | Alavés 1–0 Athletic Club - 22/07/25 |
How to Watch Arsenal vs. Athletic Club on TV
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom & International | Arsenal.com |
Arsenal Team News
Arteta gave Viktor Gyökeres his first start against Villarreal, with the Swedish striker replacing the unavailable Kai Havertz.
The German forward is anticipated to return this weekend, and the Arsenal manager is optimistic that Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori will also be available for their respective returns.
Gabriel and Jurrien Timber received their first preseason minutes after recovering from injuries sustained at the conclusion of last season. The Brazilian defender has been absent since April with a hamstring problem, while Timber has been out of action since May.
Noni Madueke became the sixth new addition to make his club debut this summer, with the former Chelsea winger appearing as a substitute against Villarreal.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Athletic Club
Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Athletic Club (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Ødegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyökeres, Martinelli
Athletic Club Team News
Ernesto Valverde divided his first-team squad for Monday's twin fixtures against Liverpool, with both teams falling to defeats.
The Athletic manager should field a near full-strength starting eleven, which is expected to feature the Williams siblings. However, the visitors will be without key midfielder Oihan Sancet, who sustained a knee injury during Monday's match at Anfield. The Spanish playmaker is likely to miss the beginning of the upcoming season.
Benat Prados is unavailable due to a thigh problem, while Unai Eguiluz remains a long-term casualty. He won't feature until the new year in the 2025–26 campaign.
Athletic Club Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal
Athletic Club predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Simón; Areso, Lekue, Vivian, Gómez; Galarreta, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Guruzeta
Arsenal vs. Athletic Club Score Prediction
Arsenal's summer preparations have been far from impressive, with Arteta needing to integrate several new signings. His tactical approach is likely to evolve following Gyökeres's arrival, with the Gunners expected to adopt a more direct and vertical style.
This shift, however, might affect their defensive stability, as they have been exposed in transition during preseason matches. The simplicity with which Villarreal scored their third goal on Wednesday should raise serious alarm bells.
Athletic possess genuine danger on the flanks and demonstrated effectiveness from dead-ball situations at Anfield on Monday, but Sancet's absence is crucial. Furthermore, they have yet to secure a positive result in preseason, making success at the Emirates a challenging proposition.