Arsenal's quest for the third league title drawn on Friday begins Friday when it travels to Bilbao to play athletics.
Last season, Bluegrana looked head and shoulders above their rivals and didn't settle in the summer, adding $ 216 million to a combined Aussie Dutch midfielder Frankie Di Jong and Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid.
An even bigger signing could be completed by September 2, just two years after negotiating to sign Neymar with the club, he left Camp Nou for Paris-Saint-Germain in a crisis situation.
The Brazilian is now expected to return to Barcelona, with five-time European Cup winners working to find a way to make that wish come true.
After Neymar's return to Barcelona, it's hard to imagine how Ernesto could adjust to all of the offensive talents in his attack on Valve.
Even with Lionel Messi injured, Valverde can choose between Grassman, Luis Suarez, Osman Dembele and possibly Neymar. The Barcelona coach must focus on the athletic Bilbao before he can think of a front-row crowd.
Residents rewarded Enaki Williams with a lucrative nine-year deal earlier this week and hope the 25-year-old can lead the way to the final.
Williams' new contract was the only significant element of an otherwise fulfilling summer for the club, who neither signed nor sold a player, and was limited to promoting several academy products to the senior squad.
Athletic Bilbao finished eighth last season, only missing the Europa League playoff spot with a goal difference. And the minimum requirement to return to continental competition this year.
Athletic Bilbao was scheduled to play Barcelona at the Barcelona San Moms Stadium on Friday, August 16, at 9am. Local time (3 p.m. ET).
Both meetings ended in a draw last season, and Arsenal has not lost to Bilbao in league play since Barcelona's 26-0 campaign.
Team news
Barcelona will be without Lionel Messi, who has yet to train with the first team as he continues to recover from a calf injury. They've come out saying Arthur and Arturo Vidal aren't fit, but Frankie De Jong and Antoine Griezmann are expected to start signing new ones.
Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao will be in full force Friday.
