Arsenal will face Athletic Bilbao in the exciting Emirates Cup Final on the 9th of August, 2025, which will take place at the Emirates Stadium. This friendly tournament has become emblematic of Arsenal’s preseason, and the Gunners will be going for their ninth Emirates Cup win. Athletic Bilbao is attending the Emirates Cup for the first time, and their notorious Basque-only team policy mixed with their youthful, dynamic players will test Arsenal in new ways.

The season ahead of the 2025 preseason for Arsenal was a mixed bag. The Gunners, on one hand, showed some nice passages of play, while defensively they had their occasional moments of frailty, as seen in the recent 3-2 defeat against Villarreal and a slender 1-0 victory over AC Milan. The new signings like Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke are still adjusting to the training and their new environment; Gyokeres is yet to get on the scoresheet. Meanwhile, the absence of the main striker, Gabriel Jesus, suffering from an ACL injury, leaves the club bereft of firepower. 

Manager Mikel Arteta faces the gargantuan task ahead of marrying the summer arrivals alongside ensuring the top players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and William Saliba return to full conditioning in time for the Premier League opener against Manchester United.

Athletic Bilbao have had a tough pre-season, losing five consecutive friendlies, including two matches against Liverpool (4-1 and 3-2). Despite terrible performances, the team has promising potential, like the Williams brothers, Nico Williams (who recently signed a spectacular 10-year contract) and club veteran Inaki Williams.

Jesus Areso from Osasuna is the lone new addition to Bilbao's renowned Basque-only transfer policy. They are a formidable opponent for Arsenal because of their style, which emphasizes effective counterattacks and strong defensive organization.

Under Arteta, Arsenal is developing into a balanced, possession-oriented team that prioritizes quick transitions and pressing. Still, some defensive issues that arose during the pre-season may reveal more significant weaknesses. Gyokeres’ physicality gives Arsenal a new option up front and may enable them to combine sharp, skillful build-up play with some traditional aerial menace.

With key midfielders like Odegaard and Rice controlling the tempo, Arsenal’s attacking threat is expected to come from wing play via Saka and Madueke, creating chances for the striker.

Athletic Bilbao's identity is built on discipline, resilience, and counterattacking pace. Their Basque-only strategy promotes indigenous players with great tactical knowledge. The Williams brothers bring pace and directness on the flanks, while Unai Simon leads the defense.

You should expect Bilbao to play deep, absorbing pressure and then countering Arsenal with quick attacks. It’s a risky strategy, especially since Arsenal can sometimes be a bit weak at the back.

Expect Bilbao to sit back and absorb the pressure before launching swift counterattacks against Arsenal. It's a hazardous strategy, especially given Arsenal's defensive shortcomings at times.

For the first time ever, Arsenal will face Athletic Bilbao in the Emirates Cup Final. In this newly formed rivalry, both clubs will be looking to secure bragging rights.

Arsenal has the momentum, home advantage, and quality to win this match, but Athletic Bilbao's energetic squad might make for a competitive and thrilling final. Expect a lot of aggressive play and goals because of the team's patchy preseason record.

Thinking about a bet? Over 2.5 Goals is a great option! Both teams have been scoring plenty in their preseason games, making this a smart pick.