Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has urged the Gunners to sign Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams to bolster the left-wing department ahead of next season.
The Premier League champions are poised to strengthen the left side of their attack this summer, and they are exploring multiple options. Club Brugge’s Christos Tzolis and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers appear to be the prime targets.
Rogers has given the green light to join the Arsenal project under manager Mikel Arteta, but he won’t come on the cheap. Villa seem reluctant to sell and may hold out for at least £100 million if they change their stance.
Amidst this, Petit has urged Arsenal to pursue Williams, who is ‘so powerful’ at dribbling, and believes the Spaniard would provide a huge improvement if he were to join the Gunners.
Petit said via Sunday Mirror (page 67): “Arsenal were fighting to get him last season. He’s [Nico Williams] so powerful in terms of dribbling. This guy will bring such a huge improvement for Arsenal if they can get him. If he can take Arsenal to the next level, it’s money well spent.”
Sunday Mirror report that Williams is contracted to Athletic until 2035 after his surprise 10-year renewal last summer. The 23-year-old has a £78 million release clause in his long-term deal.
Arsenal unlikely to renew interest in Williams
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has been a big admirer of Williams, and the club were heavily linked with the Spain international during the early part of 2025 until the summer.
Barcelona looked more likely to sign him in July last year before Williams surprised everyone by penning a staggering 10-year contract at Athletic, which included a pay rise.
Since then, Williams has had an injury-plagued campaign with his hometown club. He registered just six goals and seven assists from 32 appearances on the left wing last term.
Williams picked up five separate injuries during the 2025/26 season, missing almost 20 matches.
Despite this, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente picked him for the World Cup, but he sustained a muscle injury against Uruguay that could rule him out of the global tournament.
Williams has not quite progressed as predicted earlier in his career. Injuries have drastically hampered him, and Arsenal may resist making a fresh approach for the same reason.
On top of this, his wages could be a huge stumbling block. He already earns a basic salary of £277,000 per week with bonuses taking his overall weekly wages to around £347,000.
Arsenal have just Bukayo Saka in the same salary range. Williams may potentially want to become the club’s highest earner. His injury record and hefty wages mean Arsenal may not pursue a deal.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Capology.com