Arsenal vs. Athletic Club lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed team news, injuries for Emirates Cup preseason friendly

Arsenal face their final preseason test of the summer as they welcome Spanish side Athletic Club to London for the Emirates Cup on Saturday.

Defeat to Villarreal on Wednesday provided a slight setback for the Gunners as they prepare for high expectations in the coming season. The performance was positive overall and no injuries came of the 90 minutes, so Mikel Arteta will consider that a victory in its own right, but being their second straight preseason loss, it will certainly have some supporters concerned.

It's clear that with so many changes to the squad this summer, including the arrivals of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, Cristhian Mosquera, and Kepa Arrizabalaga, there are kinks to be worked out and relationships to be built.

They meet an Athletic side that has slogged through a putrid preseason slate, suffering five consecutive defeats to this stage. The most recent shortcoming saw the Basques beaten twice by Liverpool in one day, with displaying defensive frailties throughout both the back-to-back matches at Anfield.

MORE: Arsenal fall to Villarreal despite spirited effort throughout

Arsenal vs. Athletic Club lineups, expected starting 11, team news, injuries

Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard both missed the Villarreal defeat due to minor injuries and their fitness will be tracked as they move forward. Kai Havertz was a surprise absence from Wednesday's squad with a slight injury as well, and he will need training time before he can take the field again.

Gabriel, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Jurrien Timber, and Oleksandr Zinchenko all returned from recent fitness concerns to appear off the bench on Wednesday and are tracking for a fully fit start to the campaign.

Viktor Gyokeres got his first start on Wednesday since joining from Sporting CP but remains without a goal in an Arsenal shirt. Noni Madueke returned from an extended holiday following his time at the Club World Cup, making a short substitute appearance against Villarreal and missing the decisive penalty in the practice shootout.

Gabriel Jesus is still working his way back from an ACL tear, hoping to be back in contention by October, while Fabio Viera is not with the squad as he works on securing a move away.

Arsenal predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly — Odegaard, Rice, Havertz — Saka, Gyokeres, Madueke

Injured: Calafiori, Trossard (doubts)

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Athletic Club have concerns over defender Yuri Berchiche who went down under a tangle of legs with Mohamed Salah in the last match. His reaction seemed to be that of a player who suffered a nasty injury, but there is no word yet on his status.

Prior to that, two other defenders picked up issues against Racing Santander earlier in preseason, forcing Ernesto Valverde to assess the status of Aitor Paredes and Unai Egiluz. Neither saw the pitch against Liverpool last time out.

Part of the reason that Bayern Munich swooped to buy Luis Diaz from Liverpool was Athletic's success in keeping hold of their star winger Nico Williams, who is hoping to continue building on a hugely successful 2024/25 season. He played 80 minutes against Liverpool in their last friendly without profit, with brother Inaki Williams opposite him on the right.

Athletic Club predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Simon (GK) — Areso, Vivian, Berchiche, Boiro — De Galarreta, Jauregizar — I. Williams, Sancet, N. Williams — Sannadi

Injured: Berchiche (doubt)

Arsenal vs. Athletic Club live stream, TV channel

Here's how to watch this preseason friendly match across selected areas of the world's major regions: