Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams has revealed that he rejected a move to Barcelona during last summer’s transfer window, despite ongoing speculation linking him with a potential switch to Arsenal. The Spanish international remains happy in La Liga, casting doubt on whether the Gunners can lure him to the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s side were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Sunday, leaving them 15 points behind leaders Liverpool and only three ahead of third-placed Nottingham Forest. Arsenal’s lack of attacking reinforcements in January has been widely questioned, with the club failing in a late attempt to sign Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
Williams, who has been linked with a move to North London, spoke about his decision to remain in Spain, telling France Football: “Athletic is my family. The bond we have within the club is incredible. I don’t think I’d find this atmosphere anywhere else. At that moment, I made the decision [to stay]. That felt right, and I’m very happy with it.” His club currently sits fourth in La Liga, meaning a potential Champions League spot could make it even harder for Arsenal to tempt him away.
While Arsenal have also been linked with Alexander Isak and Dusan Vlahovic, Williams would likely compete with Gabriel Martinelli for a starting role. Martinelli has struggled with injuries this season, scoring just six Premier League goals in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns. However, Williams’ goal record isn’t much stronger, with just 14 La Liga goals in 125 appearances.
If Arsenal hope to challenge for the title next season, they must strengthen their attack to match Liverpool, who have scored 17 more goals than them this season. Whether Williams is the right addition remains a topic of debate, given his modest goal tally.
Meanwhile, questions persist over Arteta’s tenure at Arsenal. Since taking over in 2019-20 and winning the FA Cup, the Spaniard has spent over £660m on transfers without adding more silverware. Although Chelsea have spent even more with poor results, Liverpool have built a title-winning squad with less investment.
Arteta has earned praise for improving Arsenal’s standing, but his inability to deliver a Premier League title has led to growing scrutiny. If the Gunners fail to mount a serious challenge next season, the pressure on Arteta could intensify as the club assesses its long-term direction.