Athletic Bilbao striker, Inaki Williams, has rated Arsenal as one of the top favourites to win the UEFA Champions League this season.

Williams shared his thoughts after Bilbao’s 2-0 defeat to the Gunners on Tuesday evening. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard sealed the win for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Despite the loss, Williams praised his team’s effort and admitted Arsenal’s quality makes them strong contenders for the trophy.

“The result does not reflect what the match was like because we played a good game,” Williams told Movistar.
“In the end, it is Arsenal, one of the favourites in this competition. We fought, we gave it our all, and today it was not to be.”

The 31-year-old also made it clear that Athletic Bilbao are not in the tournament just to make up the numbers:

“There are seven more games left, and what is clear is that Athletic did not come here to enjoy this competition, but to compete in it.”

With Arsenal looking sharp early on, many fans will agree with Williams that the North London side could finally be ready to challenge for Europe’s most prestigious prize.