A 3-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium rounded off a disappointing series of pre-season friendlies for Athletic Club. They were well beaten by an Arsenal side who took the lead through new signing Viktor Gyökeres in the 35th minute. The Swede rose highest in the box to score with a powerful header from a Zubimendi cross. Arsenal doubled their lead just two minutes later through Bukayo Saka and they wrapped things up through substitute Kai Havertz in the 82nd minute.
There was also a ceremonial penalty shoot-out that saw the Londoners win 6-5 to rubber stamp their victory and lift the Emirates Cup. Athletic Club must now turn their attention towards their La Liga season opener against Sevilla at San Mamés on Sunday 17th of August 2025. Arsenal will be travelling north to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on the same day.
The Arsenal defeat made it a morale sapping six defeats in a row for Athletic Club in friendly matches since they managed a 1-0 win over SD Ponferradina back on the 19th of July. Oihan Sancet scored the only goal in that win at the Urritxe stadium in Amorebieta-Etxano. Since then, Athletic have lost 1-0 to Alavés and 2-1 away to PSV Eindhoven at the Philips Stadion. Iñaki Williams gave Athletic the lead with a 16th minute header in the latter match but PSV equalised ten minutes later and bagged a winner in the second half.
Back in Spain, Athletic faced Racing Santander on the 30th of July but succumbed 2-1 again, with only a late consolation goal from Mikel Vesga to show for their efforts. Vesga headed in from a corner in the fifth minute of added time. Athletic then headed over to England to complete their pre-season schedule with a double header against Liverpool before the trip to London to face the Gunners.
There were back to back games against Liverpool at Anfield on the 4th of August and the opening won went firmly they way of the hosts, who ran out 4-1 winners. They were three nil up by half time and extended that lead in the 58th minute. A 76th minute strike from Gorka Guruzeta was the only response that Athletic could muster. The second match was a much closer affair with Liverpool taking the lead twice but Athletic equalising each time through Sancet and then a Gakpo own goal. Gakpo struck at the right end with 20 minutes to go to secure a 3-2 win for the English champions.