Mikel Arteta's substitutes made the difference as Arsenal overcame the tough test of Athletic Club to get their Champions League campaign off to winning ways.
After what had been a frustrating 70 minutes for the visitors, Gabriel Martinelli was brought off the bench to breathe some life into the game and made an impact within a minute of his introduction.
The Brazilian burst in behind, played through by fellow substitution Leandro Trossard, before slotting past Unai Simon to break the deadlock.
Trossard then doubled Arsenal's lead with three minutes to play - Martinelli this time turning provider - sealing the points and an opening night victory for the Gunners.
Follow all the build-up, team news and minute-by-minute updates from Bilbao in our live blog:
Read More
Athletic Club vs Arsenal LIVE
- Arsenal travel to Athletic Club to kick off Champions League | Live on TNT Sports, kick-off at 5:30pm BST
- The Gunners were knocked out in the semi-finals last term to eventual champions PSG
- Arsenal comfortably dispatched Athletic in their final pre-season game
- 87' GOAL! Trossard doubles Arsenal's lead as Martinelli turns provider [ATH 0-2 ARS]
- 72' GOAL! Martinelli opens scoring moments after coming on [ATH 0-1 ARS]
Arsenal get Champions League campaign off to winning ways
21:00
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Will Castle
A wholesome gesture from the game-changer
20:45
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Will Castle
Wholesome moment at full-time ❤️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 16, 2025
Gabriel Martinelli gifts his shirt to a young fan
@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/NtG0LVS45c
How the table looks
20:30
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Chris Wilson
That result puts Arsenal second in the league phase table, though of course only four teams have played games so far.
The Gunners are second on goals scored, with Union Saint-Gilloise in first after putting three past PSV in their opener.
Bilbao are in last after the first match of the campaign.
Martinelli's instant impact
20:15
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Will Castle
Instant impact!
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 16, 2025
Martinelli gives Arsenal the lead 36 seconds after coming off the bench against Athletic Club ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/ViyE1nLSbK
More to come!
19:59
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Will Castle
Back to North London now, and Tottenham are about to kick off their Champions League opener at home to Villarreal.
We’ve got minute-by-minute updates from the game - switch over to make sure you don’t miss a beat!
Alternatively, stick around for more reaction from Bilbao. You’re spoilt for choice.
Next up
19:55
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Chris Wilson
Arsenal’s next match is another big one, with the Gunners hosting Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday in the Premier League. That one kicks off on Sunday, 21 September at 4.30pm.
Their next Champions League match comes against Olympiacos at home on 1 October, with that one getting started at 8pm.
FULL-TIME! Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal
19:50
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Chris Wilson
A deserved win for the Gunners in truth, though they toiled for much of the match before the subs.
A win is a win though, and they have the perfect start to their European campaign with a win at a difficult venue.
FULL-TIME! Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal
19:46
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Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal
19:43
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Chris Wilson
That’s it! The referee brings the game to an end and Arsenal are off to a winning start in the Champions League!
Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal
19:42
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Chris Wilson
90 +5 mins
Half a chance for Bilbao but they can’t pick up on the chance for a promising through ball, before Williams fails to capitalise on a failed clearance from Gabriel.
It’s going to be an opening win for the Gunners.
Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal
19:40
,
Chris Wilson
90 +4 mins
Plenty of sustained possession from Arsenal but they’re in no rush to launch an attack as they look to see out the game.
Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal
19:38
,
Chris Wilson
90 +1 mins
Another two bookings somewhere in there, one for Zubimendi and the other from Jauregizar.
Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal
19:37
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Chris Wilson
90 mins
No openings for Bilbao as they search for a lifeline, before good work from Trossard wins a free-kick in the Arsenal half.
Two debutants inbound for Arsenal. Christian Norgaard comes on for Madueke and Piero Hincapie is on in place of Calafiori.
We’ll have six minutes of added time here.
GOAL! Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal
19:35
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Chris Wilson
87 mins
GOAL! That will be that, and it’s another sub to wrap it up!
Arsenal have a second almost out of nothing.
Zubimendi wins the ball and Rice sweeps it wide to Martinelli. He stands up the defender and gets past him, before cutting it back to Leandro Trossard.
The Belgian works the space for a shot and it deflects high, past Simon and into the far corner.
Athletic Club 0-1 Arsenal
19:32
,
Chris Wilson
85 mins
Almost a promising counter for Athletic as Williams picks the ball up near his own box and drives through the Arsenal half. He tries to sweep a pass wide to the wing but Zubimendi is there to block, and Arsenal eventually win a free-kick.
Athletic Club 0-1 Arsenal
19:30
,
Chris Wilson
83 mins
Fully back underway now, as Trossard wins a corner of Vivian.
Athletic Club 0-1 Arsenal
19:27
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Chris Wilson
81 mins
Subs for the home side as Vesga and Gomez make way for Alejandro Rego and Nico Serrano.
Athletic Club 0-1 Arsenal
19:27
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Chris Wilson
79 mins
Quite lengthy treatment periods for both players, but we’re back underway.
That is, until Calafiori is down.
And here’s a stat: Martinelli’s goal came 36 seconds after he came on!
Athletic Club 0-1 Arsenal
19:23
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Chris Wilson
76 mins
Another clash of heads in the Arsenal box, this time Merino and Gomez as Bilbao look to get back into it.
The Spaniard glanced on a header but it was a tame effort.
GOAL! Athletic Club 0-1 Arsenal
19:20
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Chris Wilson
72 mins
GOAL! What an arrival for Martinelli!
Arsenal are ahead.
They win the long ball from the goal kick and Rice nods it on to Trossard. The Belgian sees the space open up behind the defence and just knocks it forward, and Martinelli finds himself 1-v-1 already!
He drives towards the goal and holds off the defender before hitting a low shot that squeezes under Simon.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
19:17
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Chris Wilson
71 mins
Almost a mix up in the Bilbao defence as Berchiche’s header runs past and there’s no communication from Simon and his defenders, but the ‘keeper recovers to clear.
Eze makes way for Gabriel Martinelli now.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
19:15
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Chris Wilson
69 mins
A bit of pressure from Bilbao but Williams can’t quite find space for the cross, before Trossard is fouled near his own area.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
19:14
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Chris Wilson
67 mins
Perhaps a little strange, but Trossard is actually playing as the striker at the moment, with Merino as more of a ‘10’. Eze and Madueke remain on the wings.
Athletic make two more changes as Sancet and Adama come off for Gorka Guruzeta and Yuri Berchiche.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
19:12
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Chris Wilson
66 mins
First sub for the visitors as Gyokeres makes way for Leandro Trossard.
That means a move to striker for Merino then, it looks like.
His next involvement is to cushion a header too close to Simon.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
19:10
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Chris Wilson
63 mins
More Arsenal pressure but it just isn’t clicking in attack so far, as demonstrated when Timber’s neat cross goes behind Gyokeres.
Madueke remains the most dangerous option, but they need to get Eze into the game more – he’s looked isolated on the left.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
19:07
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Chris Wilson
60 mins
More Arsenal possession but the majority of the Bilbao players are behind the ball for now.
Madueke picks up the ball after a lovely diagonal but his cross is tame and straight to Simon.
Bilbao make the first change as Navarro makes way for Unai Gomez.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
19:03
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Chris Wilson
57 mins
Another half-chance for Arsenal, as Madueke comes back inside before hitting a tame effort too close to Simon at the near post.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
19:02
,
Chris Wilson
56 mins
Much the same as the first half so far, with neither side able to exert much control.
It’s fairly end-to-end but without either side really creating anything of note.
Arsenal have had a few spells where they’ve kept possession for a fair while without really doing anything with it.
The same happens again as Merino’s cross is headed away.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:59
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Chris Wilson
53 mins
A chance for the visitors as Gyokeres comes deep to receive and plays it in behind for Madueke, who beats Vivian down the outside before seeing his cross diverted away by Unai Simon.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:58
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Chris Wilson
50 mins
Promising from Arsenal but Merino’s pass into the box is intercepted by Paredes.
The hosts counter, helped by a lovely flick from Williams, and Berenguer thinks he’s tripped but Gabriel wins the ball fairly.
The hosts come again but the danger is averted after a great challenge from Calafiori.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:54
,
Chris Wilson
47 mins
Good feet from Eze to skip past a challenge and win a free-kick near the left-hand corner of the box.
Rice swings it in and Gyokeres has a free header at the far post, but he can’t direct it on target!
KICK-OFF! Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:51
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Chris Wilson
Back underway at the San Mames!
HALF-TIME! Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:50
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Chris Wilson
Both sides are coming back out onto the pitch in Bilbao, so we’ll be back in action soon.
HALF-TIME! Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:47
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Chris Wilson
Not a great half for the neutral, but the game remains finely poised at the break.
Both sides have had chances and it was probably Arsenal who came closest to opening the scoring, with a last-ditch challenge preventing Eze from grabbing his first Gunners goal.
But the hosts have threatened too, and Ernesto Valverde will be the happier of the two managers going into the second period.
HALF-TIME! Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:41
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Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:36
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Chris Wilson
Another chance for Bilbao to finish the half, as Navarro drives towards the box but sees his effort deflected behind.
The corner is glanced wide at the near post by Sancet and the referee brings the first half to an end!
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:34
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Chris Wilson
45 +2 mins
Another moment of danger for the hosts as Williams picks the ball up on the right and fires in the cross, but again there’s nobody there to convert it.
At the other end, Madueke thinks he wins a corner after a promising solo run, but the goal kick is given.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:32
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Chris Wilson
45 mins
There’ll be three minutes of added time here. The hosts will be the happier of the two at the moment.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:31
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Chris Wilson
43 mins
CLOSE! Probably the hosts’ best chance so far.
Berenguer is released down the left as he overlaps into the box. He looks across the box and plays the cross, but it rolls agonisingly wide of the far post!
It was a half-shot, half-cross in the end and there was no Bilbao man to get on the end of it, with Navarro having chosen the wrong run as he cut back to the penalty spot rather than chasing it in.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:29
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Chris Wilson
42 mins
Madueke has been Arsenal’s most encouraging attacker but he sees another cross deflected away.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:28
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Chris Wilson
40 mins
Gabriel wins the ball on halfway and an Arsenal attack is ended as Vivian slides through on Eze. There are a few words shared as the home fans roar in encouragement.
It remains a very scrappy game though, with most of the action taking place in the middle third of the pitch.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:26
,
Chris Wilson
38 mins
Declan Rice has to be careful on a yellow, with Bilbao already proving that they’ll try anything to get him sent off.
He catches Gorosabel ever so slightly but the Bilbao man goes down as if he’s been two-footed.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:23
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Chris Wilson
36 mins
Arsenal seem to have settled now, with Bilbao now struggling to string attacking moves together when they do get the ball.
Adama wins a foul off Madueke though, and they’ll have the chance to go long from their own half.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:20
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Chris Wilson
33 mins
There’s quite a large cut on Gyokeres’ head, with the Swede having been the one to put the header wide just now. Gabriel was following behind and hit his teammate.
Arsenal’s summer signing is fine to carry on.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:17
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Chris Wilson
30 mins
More pressure from Arsenal as Madueke wins a corner. They take it short and work a routine but the hosts manage to clear before more good work from Madueke wins a free-kick near halfway.
The set-piece comes in towards Gabriel but he heads well wide.
The game is stopped briefly as the Brazilian clashed heads with teammate Gyokeres.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:13
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Chris Wilson
27 mins
Much better from Arsenal. They work the ball wide to Timber and he plays in an early cross that Gyokeres meets with a diving header, though the Sweden man can only direct it wide.
At the other end, Raya does well to sweep up the danger from a long ball on the counter.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:12
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Chris Wilson
24 min
Another half-chance for the visitors as Gyokeres latches onto the long ball.
He’s under pressure from Vivian as he drives into the box, and he gets a low shot away but the angle is too tight and Simon saves.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:10
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Chris Wilson
21 mins
CLOSE!
There we go. The first time that Arsenal get in behind the home defence, and they almost score.
Madueke shows good strength inside the box and tries to cut it back to Eze, who has an empty net to tap into.
However, a brilliant last-ditch challenge flies in to prevent the England man opening the scoring!
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:07
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Chris Wilson
20 mins
Nothing in terms of chances for Arsenal, though Bilbao haven’t had much either despite coming closer.
Bilbao have a decent opening for a counter but Vesga messes it up with a poor pass.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:04
,
Chris Wilson
17 mins
More pressure from Bilbao, sustained after good work from Berenguer on the right, but Navarro is eventually penalised for a foul on the edge of the box.
Merino gets his side more respite after being brought down near halfway.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:00
,
Chris Wilson
14 mins
Encouraging stuff from Bilbao as Sancet lays off the ball to Jauregizar, whose first-time cross is into the corridor between Raya and his defenders.
Inaki Williams is unable to get onto the end of it though.
Moments later, Berenguer takes a pop from long range and it deflects off Gabriel for a corner.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
17:58
,
Chris Wilson
12 mins
The first real foray forward for Arsenal as Eze slips it to Rice, who eventually finds Gyokeres. However, the flag goes up for offside against the English midfielder.
Bilbao go up the other end and win a throw adjacent to the Arsenal box.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
17:56
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Chris Wilson
9 mins
It’s a mini-routine from the hosts as it’s flicked to Adama, whose powerful effort is blocked. It looks like it might have hit a teammate.
That’s given the home fans encouragement.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
17:55
,
Chris Wilson
7 mins
Good pressure from Bilbao and it ends with a free-kick on the edge of the box.
A couple of good last-ditch challenges to prevent shots on goal just beforehand, but Declan Rice is booked as he slides in late on Jauregizar.
The free-kick is about 19 yards out.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
17:52
,
Chris Wilson
5 mins
Half a chance for the hosts as Paredes steps in to win the ball.
Bilbao advance towards the Arsenal box but the final squared pass towards Berenguer is underhit right on the edge of the box.
More jeers and whistles as the visitors keep possession again.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
17:50
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Chris Wilson
3 mins
Plenty of early possession for Arsenal, who aren’t making a concerted effort to get forward yet.
Jeers as the visitors keep the ball – there’s some atmosphere at the San Mames so far.
KICK-OFF! Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
17:47
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Chris Wilson
We’re underway at the San Mames!
What will this Champions League season have in store for the Gunners?
Athletic Club vs Arsenal LIVE
17:40
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Chris Wilson
Both sides are emerging from the tunnel at the San Mames, so we’ll have the final preparations followed by the famous anthem soon.
Arteta: 'A very important match'
17:35
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Chris Wilson
Mikel Arteta calls this "a very important match” ahead of kick-off.
Speaking to TNT, he says: "We want to come here and dominate the game. We've done it in various countries last season in a really convincing way and that is what it requires. We need to play with a lot of personality and authority and that is what we will try to do."
On only making one change, he adds: "Well the availability of certain players because of injuries, the availability of others because they are in good form."
Which English side will go furthest?
17:30
,
Chris Wilson
There’s plenty of speculation early on as another season begins, with Liverpool the favourites to win the Champions League among many fans and pundits.
However, it was Arsenal who advanced to the semi-finals last season, losing to eventual winners PSG, and Arteta faced questions about whether they could go one better to book a place in May’s final in Budapest.
Liverpool likely remain Arsenal’s main threat domestically and are favourites to retain the title they won last season after the arrival of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and co., though the early matches suggest that the raft of new arrivals may need time to settle in at Anfield.
The same could be said of the new faces at the Emirates too, but with Arsenal by far the best side defensively on the continent, has Arteta finally found the formula to land a continental honour?
Form guide
17:25
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Chris Wilson
A reminder that these two sides have identical league records after four games, having both won three and lost one.
Bilbao’s first loss of the season came last week to Basque rivals Alaves, while Arsenal of course lost to Liverpool just before the international break.
Bilbao have beaten Real Betis, Sevilla and minnows Rayo Vallecano so far in 2025/26.
Arsenal's league phase games
17:18
,
Chris Wilson
Today is the first of Arsenal’s eight league phase fixtures. The next seven are below:
Wednesday October 1, 8pm
Arsenal v Olympiacos
Tuesday October 21, 8pm
Arsenal v Atletico Madrid
Tuesday November 4, 5.45pm
Slavia Prague v Arsenal
Wednesday November 26, 8pm
Arsenal v Bayern Munich
Wednesday December 10, 8pm
Club Brugge v Arsenal
Tuesday January 20, 2026, 8pm
Inter Milan v Arsenal
Wednesday January 28, 2026, 8pm
Arsenal v Kairat Almaty
Match stats
17:10
,
Chris Wilson
Athletic Club boss Ernesto Valverde has only lost nine of his 42 games as a manager in the UEFA Champions League (W23 D10).
Arsenal have conceded just 18 goals in 24 UEFA Champions League matches under Mikel Arteta. Among teams with 20+ games under a manager, only four sides in the competition have a better goals conceded per game average.
Arteta: 'It's going to be a really long journey'
17:00
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Chris Wilson
Mikel Arteta was asked in his press conference whether his side are better placed to win the competition this season, and he said that “that's the aim”.
“We all know it's going to be a really long journey. The margins in this competition are very small and you have to be at your very best from day one to give yourself the best chance.
“You have to have two things go your way. You have to have a full squad available at critical moments and have to put the ball in the net when the chances come your way.
“We were very unlucky in the semi-final not to get through [last season]. You take a lot of learning from that, it's not only what we feel but the expectations that we have created and the real conviction that we can go all the way,” he added.
Match stats
16:50
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Chris Wilson
Athletic Club have only lost two of their previous 10 home games against English sides in major European competition (W5 D3), although one of those did come in the most recent one, losing 3-0 against Manchester United in last season’s Europa League.
If Arsenal win this game, they will become the first side in European Cup/UEFA Champions League history to win six consecutive matches against Spanish sides.
Team news
16:45
,
Chris Wilson
Mikel Arteta has made just one change to the side that beat Forest 3-0 at the weekend, with the injured Martin Odegaard replaced by Declan Rice.
Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze make their Champions League debuts, while the previously injured duo of William Saliba and Christian Norgaard return to the bench for the Gunners.
Team news
16:41
,
Chris Wilson
Ernesto Valverde has made four changes to the side that lost to Basque rivals Alaves last week. In defence, Jesús Areso and Yuri Berchiche are replaced at full-back by Andoni Gorosabel and Adama Boiro.
In midfield, Mikel Vesga comes in to partner Mikel Jauregizar, while up top Gorka Guruzeta makes way for Alex Berenguer, with Robert Navarro coming into the side on the wing.
Line-ups
16:34
,
Chris Wilson
Athletic Bilbao XI: Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Adama; Vesga, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Sancet, Navarro; Berenguer.
Subs: Santos, Padilla, Guruzeta, Areso, Lekue, Galarreta, Yuri, Unai G., Maroan, Nico Serrano, Rego, Jon de Luis.
́ @Arsenal
— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) September 16, 2025
¡Nuestro equipo inicial para el partido inaugural de la @ChampionsLeague!#AthleticArsenal #UniqueInTheWorld pic.twitter.com/UAaVabPTV9
Line-ups
16:31
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Chris Wilson
Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Merino; Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze.
Subs: Kepa, Setford, Saliba, Hincapie, Martinelli, Norgaard, Trossard, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 16, 2025
Timber and Calafiori continue at full-back
Rice returns
⚡️ Madueke on the wing
Let's start as we mean to go on, Gunners
Team news
16:16
,
Chris Wilson
Line-ups should be released in the next few minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news...
William Saliba trained ahead of the trip to Bilbao and could return to the squad, but Bukayo Saka remains out and Martin Odegaard is also set to miss the match after his latest right shoulder injury.
Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze could make their Champions League debuts after impressing in the win over Nottingham Forest. Declan Rice should return and Cristhian Mosquera could keep his place.
Match stats
16:00
,
Chris Wilson
This will be Athletic Club’s first outing in the UEFA Champions League since the 2014-15 season
Contrastingly, across the last two editions of the Champions League, only Real Madrid (33) have accumulated more points in the group/league phase than Mikel Arteta’s side, who have 32 – P14 W10 D2 L2.
The Champions League’s existential threat is closer than you think
15:50
,
Chris Wilson
In the days before this Champions League season began, there was considerable agitation about one big topic that may yet change its future.
The Uefa Executive Committee met on Thursday, after a lot of lobbying, to allow LaLiga to play games abroad. It was ultimately decided that the issue had so many potential complications that it required more discussion.
LaLiga’s fiery president, Javier Tebas, would instead argue it’s all very simple, and point to this Champions League week
