Arsenal face Athletic Bilbao on the opening night of this season’s Champions League
campaign, as the San Mamés once again takes centre stage.
The hosts return to the top table of European football following a decade-long hiatus, while Arsenal will be hoping to avenge last season’s semi-final exit to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.
Tuesday’s clash will be shown exclusively live on TNT Sports, with coverage commencing at 17:00 ahead of the competition’s early kick-off slot of 17:45.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Athletic Bilbao
Arsenal Predicted XI (4-3-3): David Raya, Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori; Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice; Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres, Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal team news vs Athletic Bilbao
Mikel Arteta has an extensive injury list heading into Tuesday evening’s tie, with a series of key players currently unavailable.
Captain Martin Ødegaard was withdrawn during the Gunners’ 3-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest at the weekend, having further aggravated an ongoing shoulder issue. The Norwegian remains doubtful for this game, as does fellow midfielder Christian Nørgaard.
That means Arteta will likely opt for a midfield trio of Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice, as he did against Liverpool.
Bukayo Saka continues his rehabilitation after suffering a hamstring strain at the end of August, but he unfortunately won’t recover in time.
Arsenal also have two long-term absentees in the shape of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, who are both back in light training following significant injuries.
However, the North Londoners will be buoyed by the inclusion of William Saliba, who is likely to assume a starting berth in Bilbao at the expense of deputising centre-back Cristhian Mosquera.
It remains unclear as to whether Eberechi Eze or Gabriel Martinelli will start on the left side of Arsenal’s front three. Eze claimed an assist during his impressive performance on Saturday afternoon, but Martinelli boasts far greater European experience.
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Arteta Faces Defining Season as Arsenal Chase Elusive Silverware
Although he’s undoubtedly improved Arsenal since returning to the club in December 2019, this feels like a massive season in Arteta’s managerial career.
The Basque tactician needs to deliver silverware in the coming months, having only won one major honour – an FA Cup triumph that was secured within eight months of his arrival.
The Gunners have concluded each of the last three Premier League campaigns in the runners-up position, initially playing second fiddle to Manchester City before Arne Slot’s swashbuckling Liverpool outfit entered the fray.
READ MORE: Our predictions and betting tips for Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal
This may represent a huge leap forward from the two eighth-place finishes he ‘achieved’ in the early days of his tenure, but it hasn’t totally placated every element of Arsenal’s demanding fanbase. Therefore, the pressure could quickly build following one or two poor results.
Conversely, if Arteta were to hoist the Champions League trophy aloft at the Puskás Aréna next May, his name would be forever etched into Arsenal folklore.