Arsenal Kicks Off Champions League Campaign Against Athletic Club in Basque Country

Arsenal’s quest for European glory begins anew as they travel to the San Mamés to face Athletic Club in their opening Champions League group stage fixture. This highly anticipated clash pits a Europa League semifinalist against a Champions League semifinalist, promising an enthralling encounter in the Basque Country.

A Familiar Foe, A Different Stage

While this marks their first competitive meeting, these two sides previously locked horns in the Emirates Cup this summer, where Arsenal secured a comfortable 3-0 victory. However, Tuesday night’s Champions League encounter is expected to be a far more demanding affair for Mikel Arteta’s men.

Athletic Club, under the guidance of former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde, impressed last season by finishing fourth in La Liga and reaching the Europa League semifinals. Despite a quiet summer transfer window, retaining the services of star winger Nico Williams was a significant boost for the Spanish side. This will be their first Champions League appearance since the 2014-15 season, making it a momentous occasion for the club and its passionate supporters.

Arsenal’s Ambitions Run Deep

Arsenal, fresh off a Champions League semifinal run last season, have meticulously built a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. Both teams enter this fixture in strong domestic form, having won three of their first four league outings. Athletic Club, however, suffered their first defeat of the season at home to Alavés on Saturday, while Arsenal showcased their prowess with a dominant 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.

Match Details: Kick-off Time and Venue

• Location: Bilbao, Spain
• Stadium: Estadio de San Mamés
• Date: Tuesday, September 16
• Kick-off Time: 5:45 p.m. BST / 12:45 p.m. ET / 9:45 a.m. PT
• Referee: Donatas Rumšas (LTU)
• VAR: Pol van Boekel (NED)

Head-to-Head Record

Across all competitions, the two teams have met only once:

• Athletic Club: 0 wins
• Arsenal: 1 win
• Draws: 0
• Last meeting: Arsenal 3–0 Athletic Club (August 9, 2025) – Emirates Cup

Current Form (All Competitions)

Athletic Club

• Athletic Club 0–1 Alavés – 13/09/25
• Athletic Club 0–1 Osasuna – 04/09/25
• Real Betis 1–2 Athletic Club – 31/08/25
• Athletic Club 1–0 Rayo Vallecano – 25/08/25
• Athletic Club 3–2 Sevilla – 17/08/25

Arsenal

• Arsenal 3–0 Nottingham Forest – 15/09/25
• Liverpool 1–0 Arsenal – 31/08/25
• Arsenal 5–0 Leeds – 23/08/25
• Arsenal 5–0 Leeds – 23/08/25
• Arsenal 3–0 Athletic Club – 09/08/25

How to Watch Athletic Club vs. Arsenal

Fans across the globe can catch all the action through various broadcasters:

Country	TV channel/live stream
United States	Paramount+, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, TUDN App, Amazon Prime Video, ViX, TUDN USA, UniMás
United Kingdom	discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, discovery+ App, TNT Sports 1
Canada	DAZN Canada, Amazon Prime Video
Mexico	Max Mexico, Amazon Prime Video

Athletic Club Team News: A Key Absence

A significant blow for Athletic Club is the absence of highly-rated winger Nico Williams, who has been ruled out with an adductor injury. This is particularly notable as Williams has been a long-standing target for Arsenal. His older brother, Iñaki, is expected to start on the right wing, while goalscoring midfielder Oihan Sancet will likely operate as the hosts’ No. 10. Maroan Sannadi is set to lead the line. Beñat Prados and Unai Egiluz are also unavailable, and stalwart defender Yeray Álvarez is serving a lengthy doping ban. Inigo Lekue is an injury doubt.

Athletic Club Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal (4-2-3-1)

Simón; Areso, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Vesga, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Sannadi

Arsenal Team News: Captain’s Injury and Rotational Choices

Mikel Arteta faces some selection dilemmas following a mixed afternoon against Nottingham Forest. Captain Martin Ødegaard was forced off with a shoulder issue, though Arteta has confirmed that surgery will not be necessary. His availability for Tuesday remains uncertain. William Saliba is likely to be rested ahead of Sunday’s crucial duel with Erling Haaland, potentially paving the way for Ben White and Piero Hincapié to be rotated into the starting XI. Key attackers Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz remain sidelined, as does Christian Nørgaard. Declan Rice, having received some early-season rest, is a certain starter in midfield.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Athletic Club (4-3-3)

Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapié; Zubimendi, Rice, Nwaneri; Madueke, Gyökeres, Eze

Score Prediction: Arsenal’s Depth to Prevail

The absence of Nico Williams is a significant blow for Athletic Club, a loss keenly felt in their recent home defeat to Alavés. While Valverde’s side has a history of upsetting Spain’s giants at the San Mamés, and this occasion will undoubtedly be special for them, Arsenal presents a formidable challenge. The Gunners displayed fluid and imperious form in their last outing, and Arteta now commands a squad with the depth to rotate without a drastic drop in quality. Having gained valuable experience in this competition under the Spaniard, Arsenal are well-equipped to navigate the unique atmosphere and challenge that Tuesday’s match will provide.

Prediction: Athletic Club 1–3 Arsenal

For more insights into European football and the Champions League, you can explore detailed analyses and news on reputable sports journalism platforms like UEFA.com.