Athletic Club v Arsenal Tuesday 16th September 1745 KO

USArsenal

RocktheCasbah no, they're not and never have been called Athletico Bilbao.

Well, i meant the Bilbao part, not "Athletico".. I know they are "Athletic"...

RocktheCasbah

USArsenal well, that's a relief! 😁

But no, they're Athletic Club. It's in black and white on the dot com.

Sicario2

RocktheCasbah they must have changed their name in last 10 years or so. Back in the day they always had Bilbao in their name

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

Sicario2 yep, for sure. I remember Etxeberria being their star player in the early 2000s. I used to sign him on CM!

USArsenal

Nah, they have always been Athletic Club, but they are commonly known as Athletic Bilbao, otherwise its a generic sounding name ("Athletic Club" sounds like it could be a team playing in just about any league. At least "Bilbao" tells most people where they actually are). I've always called them Bilbao also, but i know RtC has a great affinity with the club, so he's protective of them. haha. 😃

QuincyAbeyie

USArsenal they were officially named Atletico Bilbao from 1941 to 1972. 😉

And yeah, they're widely recognized as Athletic Bilbao. If you go looking for a league table it'll probably say that.

Qwiss

RocktheCasbah you cheering for a draw here?

RocktheCasbah

Qwiss ¡qué no, hombre!

lorddulaarsenal

I call ‘em Bilbz.

Don Pacifico

Bilbao Baggins

Qwiss

Letti Bilbags

RocktheCasbah

QuincyAbeyie they were officially named Atletico Bilbao from 1941 to 1972. 😉

Because of General Franco.

QuincyAbeyie

RocktheCasbah yes.

invisibleman18

Weird kickoff time for a midweek CL game but like it personally with my time difference. Means being able to watch the whole game before leaving for work instead of having to rush out for a train at half time.

banduan

I fully expect Mikel to play his strongest 11 here but he shouldn't.

HomeSteak

banduan I think he should, 2-3 changes should be ok but no more, Rice coming in, MLS to play, Califiori cannot play that much - we need to be careful with his minutes. Do what we did last season, go strong and finish this thing as soon as possible and then rest them(he did not rest them last season).

They are a good team, had a good season last year and started well this year, 3 wins in 4, but they lost at home this weekend against Alavez.

Pepe LeFrits

We saw sensible rotation against Forest and I expect we'll see the same again here. We need to be fresh to beat City at the weekend and lay down a marker.

MLS and Rice will play for sure. I suspect Timber will be rested too, and one of Martinelli or Trossard will start.

Asterix

Could also start our bronzed Spaniard Benny Blanco. edit Pep just beat me to it with the idea of resting Timber.

Pepe LeFrits

Just looking at the squad minutes there, only Raya, Gabriel and Zubi have played every minute so far. I wouldn't put it past Arteta to start with a Rice-Merino midfield base against Bilbao, but I still think Zubi starting that one too is the most likely option.

A real pity Kai is injured, this is exactly the sort of game he'd have come in for Gyokeres. Outside chance Merino starts at 9 but I doubt it, most likely Gyokeres was taken off early against Forest precisely because he'll be starting against Bilbao

Burnwinter

Pepe LeFrits A real pity Kai is injured, this is exactly the sort of game he'd have come in for Gyokeres. Outside chance Merino starts at 9 but I doubt it, most likely Gyokeres was taken off early against Forest precisely because he'll be starting against Bilbao

Think Gyökeres is a dead cert to start, he's still halfway running himself into full match fitness anyway. Hope he can score a couple then head off for a well-earned rest.

flobaba

With our squad depth and the quality of team we are coming up against, I'm almost tempted to start our second string team all around. Only problem I see is that the first teamers will actually want to play cos it's the champions league. Front line:

Eze, Gyok, Madueke (plan for Martinelli, Trossard off the bench at 60mins)

Midfield: Rice Merino Nwaneri (Zubimendi, Noogard off the bench)

Back four: MLS, Gabi, Cristian, White (Hincapie, Timber, Cala off the bench).

Goalie: Raya.

3-0 to the Arsenal.