A highly anticipated friendly is set to take place at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal hosts Spanish giants Athletic Club in a final pre-season tune-up before the domestic league campaigns begin. This fixture, part of the Emirates Cup, marks the final test for both sides, with Arsenal preparing for a Premier League title charge and Athletic looking to build momentum ahead of their La Liga debut. The match promises to be a tactical masterclass with a high level of intensity, as both clubs look to secure a positive result to build confidence.
Arsenal, under the guidance of manager Mikel Arteta, will be looking to get back to winning ways after a challenging pre-season. The Gunners have had mixed results, and with new striker Viktor Gyokeres still searching for his first goal, a strong performance is needed to inspire confidence. Athletic Club, meanwhile, arrives in London with their own ambitions after a successful summer. Managed by Ernesto Valverde, the team will be looking to prove they belong in the top flight and secure a crucial away win to further cement their position among the league’s top teams. This clash promises to be a fascinating contest between two teams with different ambitions but a shared desire for a winning start.
Match Details
- Competition: Club Friendlies 1 (Emirates Cup)
- Location: London, England
- Stadium: Emirates Stadium
- Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 1:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM BST / 7:00 PM CEST
- Referee: N/A (Information not yet announced)
Head-to-Head & Form Guide
This pre-season friendly marks the first-ever meeting between Arsenal and Athletic Club in the men’s game. Therefore, there is no historical head-to-head record to consider. Both the teams had a mixed season last time and will look to showcase a positive performance before the new season starts.
Arsenal:
Arsenal comes into this match after a mixed pre-season. The team has shown some promise, with a morale-boosting 3-2 victory against Newcastle United, but has also suffered some heavy defeats, including a 1-0 loss to Tottenham and a 3-2 defeat to Villarreal. The team’s defensive vulnerabilities have been a concern, and they will need to address them against a dangerous Athletic side. Key players to watch for Arsenal include new signings Viktor Gyokeres and Christian Norgaard, as well as star winger Bukayo Saka and teenage standout Max Dowman. The Gunners will need to be at their best to secure a positive result.
- August 6, 2025: Arsenal 2–3 Villarreal (Club Friendly)
- July 31, 2025: Arsenal 0–1 Tottenham Hotspur (Club Friendly)
- July 27, 2025: Arsenal 3–2 Newcastle United (Club Friendly)
Athletic Club:
Athletic Club enters the match with a strong pre-season record, having won two of their three matches. The visiting side has a reputation for playing a disciplined and organized style of football, which could pose a significant challenge for the Arsenal attack. They will be confident coming into this match and will be looking to score a crucial away goal to give them an advantage for the second leg. They have also been hit with a number of injuries to key players, which may affect their performance. Key players for Athletic include striker Inaki Williams, who has been in excellent form, and midfielder Nico Williams, who has been a consistent goalscorer. They have also been hit with a number of injuries to key players, which may affect their performance.
- August 4, 2025: Liverpool 4–1 Athletic Club (Club Friendly)
- July 30, 2025: Racing Santander 2–1 Athletic Club (Club Friendly)
- July 26, 2025: PSV Eindhoven 2–1 Athletic Club (Club Friendly)
Tactical Analysis & Key Players
This match is expected to be a fascinating contest between a well-organized and confident Arsenal side and a determined Athletic Club. Arsenal will likely seek to establish a high tempo from the start, utilizing their home advantage and talented squad to control possession and create scoring opportunities. Athletic Club will likely be organized and compact, looking to frustrate Arsenal and hit them on the counter-attack. The battle in midfield will be crucial, with both teams looking to win the ball and dictate the tempo. The match is poised to be an open and exciting affair with a high potential for goals.
How to Watch Arsenal vs. Athletic Club on TV, Live Stream
| Country | TV/Live Stream |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports, Sky Sports App, NowTV |
| United States | ESPN+, ESPN App, ESPN+ (English & Spanish) |
| Germany | DAZN, OneFootball |
| Canada | DAZN, FuboTV |
In the United Kingdom, this match may be available to watch and stream online live through Sky Sports and the Sky Sports App. In the United States, the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and the ESPN App. For other regions, broadcasting information is not yet confirmed. It is also common for some clubs to provide live streams on their official websites or YouTube channels, so it is worth checking those sources.
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
