Inaki Williams insists that athletic bilbao are not afraid of Arsenal despite their deprivation of the services of Nico Williams for their first match in the Champions League.
Athletic welcomes the Gunners in San Mames on Tuesday as they start their league phase campaign against an arsenal team that seeks to go further after reaching the semi-finals last season.
The Basque Club has kept the Spanish international Nico Williams in the transfer window despite a significant interest in Barcelona, the 23 -year -old finally signed a new 10 -year contract with Athletic.
But, after helping Athletic at the last four of the Europa League last season, Nico Williams will not be available due to a thigh injury.
However, his older brother Inaki clearly made athletics savor the match even in the middle of the absence of their starry man.
“Many of us are looking forward to doing our Champions League debut. For years, we have fought for a day like tomorrow and we want to grow our dream,” said Inaki Williams at a pre-match press conference.
“We are not afraid of anyone, it will be a really nice game. I hope I can make his debut with a victory, but it’s a shame that I cannot do it with Nico.”
Sports coach Ernesto Valverde, meanwhile, has praise tried for the counterpart of Arsenal Mikel Arteta.
“He is one of the best coaches in the world and shows what he can do in Arsenal,” said Valverde.
“He has great players but you have to look at what they do and how they play.
“They don’t let you play, they support in each duel, they insist, and it is difficult to support them. They are a team with a stamp on them and this stamp is Arteta.”
