Arsenal will start their 2025-26 Champions League campaign with a match at the famous San Mamés stadium against Athletic Bilbao. This will be the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.
The Gunners have high hopes for this match after reaching the semi-finals last season. Mikel Arteta's team has been in good form since returning to Europe's top competition.
Ambition Meets Adversity for Arsenal
After a summer spending spree of over £250 million, the London club has made its goals clear: they want to compete for both the Premier League and Champions League titles. Even with injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and William Saliba, Arsenal has kept up their strong domestic performance. They recently won 3-0 against Nottingham Forest, with two goals from Martin Zubimendi and one from the in-form Viktor Gyökeres.
Bilbao's Dream of European Redemption
Athletic Bilbao is in the Champions League for only the third time in their history, following a remarkable fourth-place finish in La Liga last season. The Basque team has never made it past the group stage but is eager to change that, especially after a heavy loss to Manchester United in last season's Europa League semi-finals.
Team News
Arsenal will be without their captain, Odegaard, who is out with Saka, Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Ben White. Saliba has returned to the squad, but his place in the starting lineup is uncertain as Arteta may choose to be cautious.
For Bilbao, the absence of star winger Nico Williams due to injury is a setback. He is joined by the injured Iñigo Lekue, while defender Yeray Álvarez is still serving a suspension.
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; Areso, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Vesga, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Sannadi
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Merino, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
