Eibar captain Anaitz Arbilla is banking on team strength and the power of Ipurúa stadium to start the season with a win against Tenerife. The Navarrese defender, beginning his eleventh campaign with the club, made these comments in a press conference reported by Agencia EFE on Wednesday.
The armeros face their first official match of the 2026-27 SmartBank League in high spirits after a positive pre-season. Arbilla, aged 39, is the squad's most veteran player and a symbol of the project's continuity. His experience will be vital in a stadium, Ipurúa, that has historically been a tough fortress for visitors.
Why is the Ipurúa factor key?
Anaitz Arbilla stated that Ipurúa Stadium is always a weapon for Eibar. While clarifying it's not a decisive aspect on its own, he believes it's important to capitalise on playing at home in the first two matches of the season. The team aims to pick up points quickly to establish themselves in the upper part of the standings.
"The team is strong, it is united," the defender stressed. The players have integrated the new signings well and approach Sunday's match with great hunger. The goal is to start with hope and transmit that energy to the stands, which usually fill the 8,164-capacity ground.
How is the team handling the coaching change?
The departure of Beñat San José to Rayo Vallecano brought a change in the dugout. Jokin Aranbarri took over as head coach during the summer. Arbilla avoided making comparisons between the two managers, merely saying he has always been happy with all his coaches and that, in his view, they have been quite similar tactically.
"From here I want to wish him the very best of luck because he is a top-level coach," the player commented about San José. Now, the focus is on supporting Aranbarri to get the maximum performance from the group. The squad, as seen on our team page, blends experience with youth and features five new additions this summer.
What is Arbilla's current physical condition?
The defender feels quite good physically, though he admits he must manage his workload more carefully than a 20-year-old player. His longevity in professional football, and especially at Eibar, is something that fully satisfies him. He "never"thought he would reach these numbers, he admitted."I hold onto the feeling with which we finished the second half of the season and it is very commendable to get 43 points," he stated about the past campaign.
The team wants to improve on those numbers and be more consistent throughout the entire schedule, which can be checked on our fixtures page. Defensive solidity, an area where Arbilla is a specialist, will be a pillar to achieve it. Eibar finished the 2025-26 season in seventh place, just five points off the playoff positions.
The captain also valued that three of the five signings this summer have been at the club before, which eases their adaptation. Finally, he sent a message of support to the injured players, wishing them a speedy recovery. The journey begins this Sunday at Ipurúa, with sights set on a victorious season start.
