Arsenal transfer target Nico Williams played the full 90 minutes as Athletic Club were held by Rangers in the Europa League.
The Spaniard was unable to lead his team to victory in Europe’s second competition at Ibrox, despite the Scottish side playing with ten men for over 75 minutes.
The game ended 0-0, with the second leg set to take place next week in Bilbao.
Arsenal’s interest in Williams is well documented, but the Gunners’ recruitment team may not have been overly impressed with the winger’s display against the Gers.
Spain’s media criticise Arsenal transfer target Nico Williams
Arsenal Insider revealed earlier this week that Arsenal are targeting Rafael Leao as an alternative to Williams, and on the basis of last night’s showing, they may need to step up their pursuit of the Portuguese.
While Williams created six chances for his teammates in Glasgow, he was wasteful in the final third, taking two poor shots of his own and completing just three out of six of his attempted crosses.
Spanish media weren’t complimentary of the wide man’s display, with Marca giving him one star out of three in their player ratings.
Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo produced a damning review of Williams’ performance.
The publication wrote: “He tried from start to finish, but with little success. He made some trademark moves, but he couldn’t quite turn things around.”
Still managing to complete four dribbles, Williams attempted eight in the match, with this statistic and Mundo Deportivo’s summary of his outing representative of what he is as a player at the moment.
He has flashes of brilliance within him, but the 22-year-old isn’t able to sustain a high level throughout 90 minutes and is still very raw.
How fans reacted to Nico Williams’ performance against Rangers
Arsenal met Williams a few weeks ago to discuss a potential transfer, with the Gunners seemingly intent on landing the Athletic Club man.
He’ll hope Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta weren’t watching on Thursday night.
Like the Spanish press, fans weren’t impressed with Williams’ performance against the Glaswegian giants.
One fan wrote on X: “Is absolutely anyone surprised shining superstar and £50million man of the moment Nico Williams rocks up at Ibrox and forgets how to play football?”
Another Rangers fan added: “A proper solid defensive display from James Tavernier last night. He dealt with the threat of Nico Williams incredibly well. The captain always thrives on the European stage at Ibrox.”
Meanwhile, an on-watching Arsenal fan posited: “Have to say, don’t get the hype around Nico Williams, sitting watching this Rangers game, definitely wouldn’t be happy if Arsenal go and pay over the odds for this lad in the summer, absolutely no better than [Gabriel] Martinelli.”
He’ll have to step up his game in the second leg in the Basque country if he’s to retain the interest of all the rumoured potential suitors.
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