Players do not reject Arsenal as often as they used to.
The Gunners are Premier League champions, Champions League finalists and one of the strongest teams in world football. Mikel Arteta has built a project that most elite players would love to be part of.
That was not enough to convince one of Arsenal’s long-term targets last summer, however. Nico Williams made it clear that if he was leaving Athletic Club, his preference was Barcelona. (Football Transfers)
Now, just 12 months later, the Spain international appears to have changed his stance completely.
Imagine you are Andrea Berta. Who is your top target for Arsenal in the summer transfer window?
Nico Williams is now open to a move to Arsenal
Arsenal’s interest in Williams is nothing new.
The Gunners have tracked the winger for years and seriously explored a move for him before he signed a new contract with Athletic Club.
At the time, it looked as though the speedster was destined either to remain in Bilbao or complete a dream move to Barcelona.
Arsenal were interested in Williams, but they were never viewed as his preferred destination.
That is what makes the latest update so interesting.
According to TeamTalk, Arsenal’s admiration for Williams has never disappeared despite him committing his future to Athletic last year.
The report claims the winger is reassessing his situation after a difficult campaign and could now be ready for a new challenge.
More importantly, sources close to the player have reportedly informed Arsenal and other interested clubs that Williams would be open to testing himself in the Premier League if the right opportunity presents itself.
That represents a significant shift from where things stood 12 months ago. Arsenal were effectively told they were not his priority back then, but now, the door appears to be open.
Whether the Gunners decide to walk through it is another question entirely.
Which left winger would you most like to see Andrea Berta prioritise in 2026?
Should Arsenal sign Nico Williams?
There is no doubt that Williams is a very good player, and his numbers over the last two seasons are slightly better than both of Arsenal’s current left-wing options.
Williams has registered 31 goal contributions in 77 games at a rate of 0.4 per game. By comparison, Leandro Trossard has managed 39 in 106 matches at 0.36 per game, while Gabriel Martinelli has produced 34 in 104 appearances at 0.32 per game.
On paper, that suggests Williams would be an upgrade.
The question is whether he is enough of an upgrade to justify a £77 million investment, which is the value of his release clause (Estadio Deportivo).
Those numbers have been produced in a system where he enjoys far more space than he is likely to receive in the Premier League. At Arsenal, most opponents defend deep, making life considerably more difficult for wide players.
Williams is an excellent footballer, but Arsenal should only pursue a deal if both Martinelli and Trossard leave. Spending £77 million on a marginal upgrade does not feel like the smartest use of resources, especially when the club still have other areas of the squad to strengthen.
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