BREAKING NEWS: Although we lost to them at home but to sincere I haven’t faced such a dangerously aggressively player in my career today, He truly deserves all the credits”, Ath bibao captain Inaki Williams reveals the ONE Arsenal player that really impressed Him Today – Not Martinelli and not Trossard

Inaki Williams, the captain and attacking spearhead of Athletic Bilbao, has sparked fresh debate across Europe with his candid post-match comments about Arsenal. Despite his side falling to a home defeat against the Gunners, Williams admitted he was stunned by the impact of one particular Arsenal player — and it wasn’t Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard, who often take the headlines.

The Basque forward, renowned for his blistering pace and resilience in La Liga, confessed that he had rarely come up against such an aggressively dangerous player in his entire career. Williams described the encounter as one of the toughest individual battles he has faced, applauding the Arsenal star for his relentlessness, strength, and intelligence on the pitch.

“I’ve faced world-class defenders and attackers across Spain and Europe,” Williams noted, “but today I came up against someone different. His intensity, his ability to win duels, and the way he carried Arsenal forward was something that really stood out. He truly deserves all the credit.”

While many might have expected Martinelli, Trossard, or even Bukayo Saka to earn such praise, Williams singled out Declan Rice as the man who made the biggest impression on him during the game. The England international dominated midfield proceedings, shutting down Bilbao’s attacks and driving Arsenal forward with a commanding presence.

Rice’s influence was visible throughout the match. From his ability to intercept play and shield the defense, to his calm distribution and surging runs, the 26-year-old ensured that Arsenal controlled the tempo in hostile conditions. It was this balance of aggression and composure that Williams admitted was impossible to ignore.

The praise is especially significant given the level of respect Williams commands in European football. As one of La Liga’s most durable and consistent performers — having broken records for consecutive appearances — Williams has gone head-to-head with some of the world’s finest players. That he places Rice in such high regard is a testament to how far the Englishman’s game has developed since his high-profile move from West Ham United.

For Arsenal, such recognition underlines the importance of their record signing. Mikel Arteta has often emphasized that Rice was not just brought in to fill a position but to become the backbone of the team’s midfield. His leadership qualities, physical presence, and tactical intelligence are now being acknowledged not only by teammates and fans but also by high-caliber opponents like Williams.

The performance against Athletic Bilbao comes at a crucial time for the Gunners, who continue to juggle Premier League responsibilities with European ambitions. Having a player like Rice rise to the occasion in difficult away fixtures demonstrates Arsenal’s growing maturity under Arteta. The manager’s vision of building a side that can both compete domestically and command respect abroad is slowly materializing.

Williams’s remarks also reflect a wider shift in European football’s perception of Arsenal. Once criticized for lacking steel in big games, the North London club is now producing players who combine flair with fight. Rice epitomizes this transformation — a midfielder who not only reads the game but plays it with an edge that unsettles opponents.

For Athletic Bilbao, the defeat will sting, but their captain’s honest admission highlights the level of competition they faced. Football is often about moments of respect beyond rivalry, and Williams’s candid acknowledgment of Rice’s impact will be remembered as a gesture of admiration rather than defeatism.

As Arsenal look ahead, Rice’s influence will be vital in their pursuit of silverware. And for fans, hearing an experienced professional like Williams confess he has rarely faced such an “aggressively dangerous” opponent only adds to the excitement surrounding the Englishman’s role in the team.

In football, praise from opponents often carries more weight than compliments from within. In this case, Inaki Williams’s words confirm what Arsenal supporters have already begun to believe: Declan Rice is not just another signing — he is the heartbeat of a new Arsenal era.