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:
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 , Will Castle
A wholesome gesture from the game-changer
20:45 , Will CastleWholesome 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 , Chris WilsonThat 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 , Will CastleInstant 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 , Will CastleBack 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.
Tottenham vs Villarreal live: Spurs begin Champions League campaign
Next up
19:55 , Chris WilsonArsenal’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 , Chris WilsonA 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 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal
19:43 , Chris WilsonThat’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 , Chris Wilson90 +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 Wilson90 +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 Wilson90 +1 mins
Another two bookings somewhere in there, one for Zubimendi and the other from Jauregizar.
Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal
19:37 , Chris Wilson90 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 , Chris Wilson87 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 Wilson85 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 Wilson83 mins
Fully back underway now, as Trossard wins a corner of Vivian.
Athletic Club 0-1 Arsenal
19:27 , Chris Wilson81 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 , Chris Wilson79 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 , Chris Wilson76 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 , Chris Wilson72 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 , Chris Wilson71 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 , Chris Wilson69 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 , Chris Wilson67 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 , Chris Wilson66 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 , Chris Wilson63 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 , Chris Wilson60 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 , Chris Wilson57 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 Wilson56 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 , Chris Wilson53 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 , Chris Wilson50 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 Wilson47 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 , Chris WilsonBack underway at the San Mames!
HALF-TIME! Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:50 , Chris WilsonBoth 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 , Chris WilsonNot 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 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:36 , Chris WilsonAnother 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 , Chris Wilson45 +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 , Chris Wilson45 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 , Chris Wilson43 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 , Chris Wilson42 mins
Madueke has been Arsenal’s most encouraging attacker but he sees another cross deflected away.
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
18:28 , Chris Wilson40 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 Wilson38 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 , Chris Wilson36 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 , Chris Wilson33 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 , Chris Wilson30 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 , Chris Wilson27 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 , Chris Wilson24 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 , Chris Wilson21 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 , Chris Wilson20 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 Wilson17 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 Wilson14 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 Wilson12 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 , Chris Wilson9 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 Wilson7 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 Wilson5 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 , Chris Wilson3 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 , Chris WilsonWe’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 , Chris WilsonBoth 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 , Chris WilsonMikel 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 WilsonThere’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 , Chris WilsonA 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 WilsonToday 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 WilsonAthletic 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 , Chris WilsonMikel 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 , Chris WilsonAthletic 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 WilsonMikel 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 WilsonErnesto 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 WilsonAthletic 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.
🇪🇺 𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗢́𝗡 🆚 @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 , Chris WilsonArsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Merino; Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze.
Subs: Kepa, Setford, Saliba, Hincapie, Martinelli, Norgaard, Trossard, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman.
🔵 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔘
— 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 WilsonLine-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 WilsonThis 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 WilsonIn 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. An unprecedented six Premier League clubs are involved, showcasing the competition’s uncatchable power.
The Champions League’s existential threat is closer than you think
Head-to-head
15:35 , Chris WilsonToday’s game will be the first competitive meeting between Athletic Club and Arsenal, with their only previous fixture coming last summer as the Gunners won 3-0 in the Emirates Cup pre-season tournament.
This is just the third time the Lions have faced an English opponent in the European Cup or Champions League, having been eliminated by Manchester United in 1956/57 and Liverpool in 1983/84.
Why three English players reflect growing crises at Spain’s biggest clubs
15:25 , Chris WilsonWhen Thomas Tuchel called Trent Alexander-Arnold to tell him he was out of September’s England squad, the German said he was conscious of the right-back having to adapt to a new life in Madrid, but still stressed another point. This was also a football decision.
Alexander-Arnold isn’t as settled as some of his right-back rivals, and Tuchel wants to see how Xabi Alonso uses him. The England manager knows he’s going to spend a lot of time watching Spanish football this season, and may well witness an interesting dynamic in the Champions League this week.
Atletico Madrid’s trip to Liverpool – before Real Madrid follow in November – will showcase it through Conor Gallagher. For the first time in history, all three of the big Spanish clubs feature an English player at the same time.
Why three English players reflect growing crises at Spain’s biggest clubs
Arsenal’s Basque connection sets up fascinating Champions League return
15:10 , Jamie BraidwoodMikel Arteta is big on positive manifestation and one thing he has said this season has already come through. In the build-up to Tuesday's opening-night Champions League match against Athletic Bilbao, the Arsenal manager has been telling his players and club staff about the specific type of rain you get in the Basque country. It feels like a light rain but, within minutes, “you’re absolutely drenched”.
Arsenal employees and fans will very much know how that feels, given the curtain of water that greeted them as they arrived in Bilbao on Monday afternoon. Arteta might have been one of the few club figures happy about that. This is home.
Arsenal’s Basque connection sets up fascinating Champions League return
Team news
15:07 , Chris WilsonTeams should be released in the next five or 10 minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early Arsenal 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.
Arsenal's Champions League fixtures
14:50 , Jamie BraidwoodTuesday September 16, 5.45pm
Athletic Club v Arsenal
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
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal's Champions League journey
14:35 , Jamie BraidwoodMikel Arteta said Arsenal have proved they are “good enough” to compete with anyone in in the Champions League as the Gunners look to take the final step in Europe.
Arsenal were beaten by eventual winner Paris Saint-Germain and Arteta said: "We were very unlucky in the semi-final not to get through.
"That is the moment you get deflated. And you have to understand what you need to do. But you take a lot of learnings from that, it is painful, and the expectations that we created was that we could go all the way. We showed a very good level of consistency and quality to reach that.
"It shows how difficult it is because we haven't won it yet. We know it is going to be a really long journey.
"The margins in this competition are super small and you have to give yourself the best chance to win the game, and that includes having a full squad. But we are good enough and we can compete with any opposition on the day."
William Saliba boost for Arsenal?
14:20 , Jamie BraidwoodThe France defender has returned to the squad and travelled to Spain ahead of tonight’s game at Athletic Club, in what is a huge boost for the Gunners after it was thought that Saliba would be out for several weeks after limping off against Liverpool.
Bukayo Saka has 'a lot of things to go through' before return
14:10 , Jamie BraidwoodMikel Arteta indicated that Bukayo Saka is not close to returning from injury as he confirmed the forward will miss tonight’s Champions League opener in Bilbao.
“I think there are still quite a lot of things to go through,” he said. “It’s very early to understand when and which week he’s going to be available. But he will certainly be pushing to be available as quickly as possible.”
Saka has not featured since the Premier League win over Leeds.
What is the Arsenal team news?
14:03 , Jamie BraidwoodWilliam 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.
When is Athletic Bilbao v Arsenal?
14:01 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Gunners kick off their Champions League campaign in the early slot on Tuesday, with their match in Bilbao starting at 5:45pm BST on Tuesday 16 September.
How can I watch it?
Athletic Bilbao v Arsenal will be shown live on TNT Sports and Discovery+, with coverage getting underway from 5pm.
Good afternoon
14:00 , Jamie BraidwoodArsenal kick off their Champions League campaign away at Athletic Club tonight as the Gunners go in search of their first title in the competition after last season’s heartbreak.
Mikel Arteta’s side lost out to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, after a sensational victory over Real Madrid at the quarter-final stage.
It meant Arsenal finished the season without silverware after falling short of a title challenge in the Premier League but the Gunners have invested heavily over the summer.
Arteta has looked to build a squad capable of competing across multiple fronts and it will be put to the test at Athletic, who finished fourth in LaLiga last season.
But the hosts will be without star forward - and reported Arsenal target - Nico Williams. Follow all the build-up, team news and minute-by-minute updates from Bilbao in our live blog:
