Athletic Club vs Arsenal

The spotlight falls on this season’s UEFA Champions League in Bilbao, where Athletic Club return to the group stage for the first time since 2014/15. A fourth-place finish in La Liga last term secured their spot, while a run to last season’s UEFA Europa League semi-finals under Ernesto Valverde underlined their growing European pedigree. Home form has been a key part of that resurgence, with the Lions winning six of their seven continental games at San Mamés since Valverde’s 2022 return [6W, 1L], although their sole defeat came at the hands of English opposition in Manchester United. This will be Athletic’s first-ever competitive meeting with Arsenal and only their third clash against English opponents in the European Cup/Champions League. Their overall record against Premier League visitors on home soil is encouraging [5W, 3D, 2L], though that most recent loss to United still lingers. The Lions' current campaign has already shown a taste for fine margins, with each of their three home La Liga games decided by a single goal [2W, 1L]. Having also lost 1-0 at Alavés at the weekend, Athletic Bilbao will be determined to make San Mamés a fortress once more. Aymeric Laporte was unveiled at the weekend, and he is ready for action. However, Yeray Álvarez is banned, as Nico Williams and three others are on the treatment table. A 4—2—3—1 may be deployed with Alejandro Berenguer starting upfront.

Arsenal will arrive in Spain off the back of a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, but injuries continue to cast a shadow over Mikel Arteta’s preparations. Captain Martin Ødegaard was the latest to join a growing absentee list, though the Gunners’ Champions League credentials remain strong. Only Real Madrid [33] have collected more opening round points than Arsenal [32] over the last two UCL campaigns. They have lost only two of their last 22 UCL group/league matches [16W, 4D]. Victory here would see Arsenal create history as the first team to win six successive European Cup/Champions League matches against Spanish clubs. That run currently includes triumphs over Real Madrid, Sevilla and Girona, though midfielder Martín Zubimendi may carry unhappy memories into this contest after losing each of his last four personal away H2Hs with Athletic. With Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Kai Havertz also missing the weekend clash, Arsenal’s depth may again be tested, but their European form suggests they will travel with quiet confidence. A 4—3—3 formation with Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze is expected.