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The big one is back. The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League kicks off on Tuesday for its second outing in its new format. There are a host of mouth-watering ties in the first gameweek, including this game, with Athletic Bilbao welcoming Arsenal to the Basque Country.
Arsenal have had a decent start to their league season, winning three of their four games, and integrating eight new signings into their team well. Athletic Club have the same record as Arsenal in LaLiga, losing their most recent game to Alavés.
This game is sure to be one both want to and believe they can win, hopefully getting their Champions League off to the best start.
Athletic Bilbao v Arsenal key information
• Date: Tuesday, September 16th
• Kick-off time: 5.45pm BST
• Venue: Estadio San Mamés, Bilbao
• Referee: Donatas Rumšas
• VAR: Pol van Boekel
• TV channels: TNT Sports (UK)
• Odds: ATH (3/1) - DRAW (5/2) - ARS (9/10)
Athletic Bilbao team news
Bilbao’s great start to the season hit its first obstacle when they fell to a 1-0 defeat on Saturday at home against Alavés. Manager Ernesto Valverde, watching from the stands as he was serving the first of a four-game touchline ban, would have been disappointed with his team. An uninspiring first half at the San Mames continued into the second, culminating in them conceding an own goal from a wicked deflection off Alex Berenguer.
Club talisman Nico Williams sat the game out after picking up a muscle injury on international duty with Spain. After the loss, Valerde told journalists: “Of course I’d like to have him (Williams) back soon, but I don’t know. It will depend on how his injury progresses.”
After the game, Athletic’s new old signing Aymeric Laporte came out to greet the fans after his late move from Al-Nassr. Originally, the move fell through, but FIFA made an exception for the late transfer to go through, and now the ex-Manchester City man is back at the place his career started. Laporte will not be able to play against Arsenal, however, as he was not registered in their Champions League squad, having been signed after they had to submit their squad for the competition.
Athletic Bilbao predicted line-up v Arsenal, (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Ernesto Valverde
Simon; Areso, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Berenguer, Navarro; Sannadi.
Arsenal team news
The Gunners head to Spain with momentum. The 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday was a dominant performance and displayed Arsenal’s new boys in the brightest of lights. Erebechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres, Martin Zubimendi and Cristhian Mosquera all shone during the match with showing the depth Arsenal now have in their squad.
The game was not won without cost, as captain Martin Odegaard was substituted off early in the first half after seemingly injuring his shoulder, a repeat of the injury that forced the Norwegian off against Leeds. Arteta said of Odegaard after the game: "He will certainly be doing everything from now on to be ready for Tuesday. I guarantee that, but I don't know.”
Another Arsenal player who Arsenal fans were waiting for news on before the Forest game was William Saliba. The Frenchman came off almost immediately in the Liverpool match before the International break and was not in the squad to face Forest. Arteta said that Saliba trained on Friday and was not ready for Saturday, but could be for Tuesday.
Arsenal predicted line-up v Athletic Bilbao, (4-3-3)
Coach: Mikel Arteta
Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Nwaneri; Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze.
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
In the UK, you can watch Arsenal’s first match in the Champions League against Athletic Bilbao on TNT Sports 1. You can watch TNT Sports by signing up to Discovery+, which can be watched on your smart TV, website or through your TV provider.
Head-to-Head record
The two teams have never met before in a competitive fixture; however, they did play each other as recently as August 9th this year in a preseason game. Arsenal were comprehensive winners 3-0, with Gyökeres scoring his first-ever goal for the North London outfit.
Both teams head into the game having played four league matches and having mirroring records of three wins and one loss. The fact that Bilbao’s loss came in their most recent game could show their form heading into Tuesday’s fixture, with Arsenal full of confidence from winning their most recent.
Odds for Arsenal vs Athletic Bilbao
Arsenal are favourites with the bookmakers for Tuesday’s game. They are 9/10 at bet365 with Bilbao at 3/1. Bet365 have a draw down at 5/2.
Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change