Mikel Arteta must restore ‘immense’ Arsenal star in starting XI to exploit key Athletic Bilbao weakness
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will have to restore a key player to the Gunners’ starting XI to exploit one of Athletic Bilbao’s major weaknesses.
The Gunners begin their Champions League campaign against the La Liga side who have started the campaign with three wins from four league matches.
Arsenal got to the semi-finals of the competition last season, losing to eventual winners PSG in the final four.
Arteta will be confident of a winning start considering the sides met just weeks ago in pre-season and Arsenal beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0, albeit at the Emirates and not in Spain.
Declan Rice should return amid Athletic Bilbao weakness
Declan Rice was a surprise exclusion from Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest last time out, with Arteta dropping the midfielder to the bench.
Rice though has an excellent set-piece delivery in his locker which could be the key to beating Athletic Bilbao.
The 26-year-old has already picked up three assists for club and country in six matches this campaign and last season Athletic Bilbao conceded nine of their 29 La Liga goals from set-pieces.
Arsenal are particularly strong on corners, and overall they have netted 30 times from set-piece scenarios, which ranks third amongst teams in Europe’s top five leagues.
Only Barcelona and Inter can better Arsenal on set-pieces, and the ‘immense’ Rice has been a beneficiary of this, registering five assists from such scenarios.
Set-pieces could be key to winning Champions League
Arsenal showed in their run to the semi-finals of the competition last season how crucial a part set-pieces could play.
Rice’s stunning free-kick double against Real Madrid stand out as huge moments which was key to defeating the Spanish giants.
The Gunners have more in their armoury now this season too with Noni Madueke impressing, and Viktor Gyokeres having scored three Premier League goals so far.
Eberechi Eze made his Arsenal debut against Nottingham Forest, and his extra creativity could also unlock stubborn defences.
There should be hope in north London that a run to the semi-final again should be a minimum requirement.