Nico Williams is expected to miss Athletic Club’s opening Champions League fixture against Arsenal through injury, according to a report from Spain.
After a difficult pre-season, Nico Williams finally looked to be hitting form as the competitive 2025/26 campaign got underway.
The winger provided three goal contributions in three wins to kick off his league season with Athletic Club, then provided an assist in his second appearance of the September break for Spain.
Yet that appearance against Turkey didn’t end so well, with Williams forced off the pitch before half time after a groin injury in his left leg.
Marca Bilbao report that pending the results of further testing, everything currently points towards Williams missing Athletic Club’s next couple of games against Alaves and Arsenal.
The report highlights that Williams was already struggling with a groin injury at the end of last season, missing six games as a result of the problem. His club won’t want to take any risks now that it’s flared up again.
Given Williams was forced out of the game and the Arsenal fixture is just eight days away, it certainly seems unlikely the player will be back in time.
Athletic Club fans can only hope the 23-year-old’s withdrawal was completely precautionary, which isn’t how it looked. Adductor injuries usually require a minimum of two weeks out.
Arsenal will feel confident about their chances against Athletic Club either way, having beaten the team 3-0 in pre-season with Williams on the pitch at the Emirates Stadium. Yet the Gunners have since lost two of the goalscorers from that match to injury – Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz.
With the Champions League clash taking place in Spain, Athletic Club may be eyeing an opportunity for revenge.