Arsenal get their UEFA Champions League campaign started on September 16 away at Athletic Club.
Mikel Arteta reached the semifinals of the competition last season before losing out to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain, and a trip to Bilbao will be a real test for the Basque coach.
The Gunners cruised to a 3-0 Premier League win at Nottingham Forest last weekend to spoil Ange Postecoglou’s debut at the City Ground. They have taken three victories from their opening four matches of the campaign, and Dominik Szoboszlai’s wonder free-kick that saw them lose 1-0 at Liverpool remains the only goal they have conceded.
Athletic Club are also in strong form with three wins from four in La Liga as Ernesto Valverde’s team make their first UCL appearance since 2014/15.
MORE: Champions League fixtures 2025/26: Matchday schedule, results for UCL games this season
Athletic Club vs. Arsenal lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injuries
Valverde has struck with a largely consistent starting XI in La Liga this season with eight players starting all four outings.
There were no fresh injuries flagged up after the 1-0 weekend loss at Alaves, so the hosts could be unchanged, with Inaki Williams leading the attack.
More significantly, his brother Nico Williams is expected to miss out due to a groin issue suffered on Spain duty. Yeray Alvarez is suspended after testing positive for a banned substance that accidentally got into his system through a treatment for hair loss.
Athletic Club predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Simon (GK) — Areso, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche — Jauregizar, Ruiz — Berenguer, Sancet, I. Williams — Guruzeta
Injured: Prados (knee), N. Williams (groin), Lekue (muscle), Eguiluz (ACL)
Suspended: Alvarez (doping ban)
Arteta faces a host of selection calls for the trip to Spain with talisman Bukayo Saka still out with a thigh issue. The England international is at least a week away from a comeback.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are both long-term absentees, and Arteta confirmed captain Martin Odegaard suffered a recurrence of a shoulder injury at Forest and is unlikely to be risked from the start.
William Saliba is back following an ankle injury and could return here, and the Gunners otherwise have a strong squad to choose from. Max Dowman could become the youngest player ever to appear in the competition if he plays on Tuesday.
Arsenal predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori — Merino, Zubimendi, Rice — Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze
Injured: Saka (thigh), Havertz (knee), Jesus (ACL), Odegaard (shoulder, doubt), Saliba (ankle, doubt)
Suspended: None
Athletic Club vs. Arsenal match details
- Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
- Kickoff time: 6:45 p.m. local / 12:45 p.m. ET / 9:45 a.m. PT / 2:45 a.m. AEST (Sep. 17)
- Location: Estadio San Mames, Bilbao (Spain)
- Competition: UEFA Champions League league phase Matchday 1
- Referee: Donatas Rumsas (LIT)
- VAR: Pol van Boekel (NED)
