He snubbed Arsenal in the summer and Arteta loves him – now he’s out to derail their Champions League dream

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Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign on Tuesday at Athletic Bilbao, and will come up against some familiar faces at the San Mames.

Mikel Arteta’s side beat Nottingham Forest this weekend to bounce back from defeat to Liverpool before the international break, and begin their Champions League League Phase on Tuesday in Bilbao having reached last year’s semi-finals.

And Bilbao have recently been boosted by the signing of their former defender Aymeric Laporte, who will bring Champions League-winning experience to the Basque club.

Laporte had been linked with Arsenal this summer in Spanish media, but only had eyes on returning to his boyhood club from Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.

Mikel Arteta has already praised Aymeric Laporte ahead of Champions League reunion, ‘balls of steel’

Mikel Arteta previously worked with Aymeric Laporte when he was assistant manager at Manchester City, and later managed Arsenal when they battled with City in Premier League title races.

Arteta is quoted from 2020 by Football.London as saying: “He’s got balls of steel. He may have a French passport but it’s like he was raised in Bilbao.

“He’s got the Basque mentality – rock hard. You tell him he’s got to go toe-to-toe with Salah at Anfield and it’s no bother to him.”

Arteta’s comments came before Laporte switched international allegiances to Spain given his Basque heritage which also qualifies him for playing for Athletic Bilbao. He has since made 40 appearances for Spain, winning Euro 2024 and the Nations League.

Aymeric Laporte has also praised Mikel Arteta, once predicted big things for the Arsenal manager

Laporte, who has not played since April due to his desire to leave Al Nassr over the summer, was left out of Bilbao’s La Liga defeat to Alaves this weekend.

But if selected against Arsenal, it will prompt a reunion with Arteta, who Laporte has praised in the past and predicted a ‘great’ coaching career in 2020.

He said (via Sky Sports): “Mikel is a great coach and, for me, he has been one of the best people I have met in Manchester.

“He tries to help players all the time, he had a really good relationship with everyone and with me especially. I think he’s a great manager and he will make great things in his coaching career.”