Arsenal have reportedly been hit with a double injury blow ahead of their Champions League opener against Athletic Club. The Gunners have been branded as one of the favourites to win this season's competition but they will be without two talisman early on.
Aymeric Laporte has lifted the lid on his difficult exit from Al-Nassr, revealing the Saudi club's financial demands almost scuppered his dream return to Athletic Club. The Spain international admitted he felt "in the middle of nowhere" during protracted negotiations but insisted that coming back to Bilbao was always his primary objective.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta heaped praise on new signing Viktor Gyokeres, who scored his first goal for the Gunners since his move to North London from Sporting CP this summer. The Premier League giants thrashed La Liga side Athletic Club 3-0 in their final pre-season friendly courtesy of goals from Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz.
Cody Gakpo starred with a brace, while Mohamed Salah scored a goal as Liverpool beat Athletic Club in their second consecutive friendly match on Monday.
Athletic Bilbao
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