Arsenal transfer target Nico Williams played 79 minutes as Athletic Club suffered a devastating 3-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Europa League semi-final.
The Spaniard was unable to influence the game after the Bilbao side were reduced to ten men in the 35th minute, with Daniel Vivian sent off for holding Rasmus Hojlund back inside the penalty area.
Casemiro nodded United ahead shortly before that, before Bruno Fernandes scored twice to give Ernesto Valverde’s side a mountain to climb in the second leg at Old Trafford next week.
It’s well-documented that Williams is one of Arsenal’s priority targets heading into the summer transfer window, although Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta will not have been impressed with the winger’s latest display.
Spain’s media criticise Arsenal transfer target Nico Williams
Arsenal Insider revealed last week that the potential stumbling block with Williams isn’t his wage demands, but is actually whether he has a desire to leave Spain.
The 22-year-old is keen on joining Barcelona and linking up with compatriot Lamine Yamal, but he certainly didn’t stake a claim to join the Catalan giants with his exploits against United.
Completing just eight of his 15 attempted passes throughout his 79 minutes on the pitch, Williams took one shot, created no chances and completed one successful dribble.
Spanish media were unsurprisingly unimpressed, with Marca giving him one star out of three in their player ratings.
Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo produced a damning review of the player’s showing.
They wrote: “Discarded. The Navarrese striker didn’t have a good night. He had almost nothing going for him and barely threatened the opposing defence. Not against eleven, not against ten.”
While Williams tried to make things happen and drive his team forward on the rare occassion they were able to hold possession, he was wasteful and mostly ran into trouble rather than trying to bring his teammates into the game.
There’s certainly raw talent to work with, but the Euro 2024 winner is miles off being ready to contribute to Arsenal at the highest level on a weekly basis.
What Ruben Amorim said about Nico Williams
Arsenal fans were equally unimpressed by Williams against United, with some supporters claiming that the transfer target is overhyped.
However, United boss Ruben Amorim was full of praise for Williams before the encounter at San Mames on Thursday night.
“They are strong, intense, and very aggressive in every duel,” the Portuguese said.
“They have great players in one-on-one situations.
“Nico Williams is a special player. They have the best defence in La Liga. We are not scoring many goals, so it will be a difficult match for us.”
Williams has scored eleven goals and provided seven assists in all competitions for Athletic Club this season, which perhaps isn’t the output you’d expect from a player who the entire system in Bilbao is built around.
He’ll need to increase these numbers to convince those at Arsenal looking at him that he’s ready to contribute in N5.
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