{"id":1399222,"date":"2025-09-15T16:42:47","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T15:42:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=news&p=1399222"},"modified":"2025-09-15T16:51:54","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T15:51:54","slug":"arsenal-team-news-vs-athletic-bilbao-predicted-lineup","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/arsenal-team-news-vs-athletic-bilbao-predicted-lineup\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal team news vs Athletic Bilbao and predicted lineup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Arsenal <\/a>face Athletic Bilbao on the opening night of this season\u2019s Champions League
campaign, as the San Mam\u00e9s once again takes centre stage.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hosts return to the top table of European football following a decade-long hiatus, while Arsenal will be hoping to avenge last season\u2019s semi-final exit to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.

Tuesday\u2019s clash will be shown exclusively live on TNT Sports, with coverage commencing at 17:00 ahead of the competition\u2019s early kick-off slot of 17:45.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Athletic Bilbao<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Arsenal Predicted XI (4-3-3):<\/strong> David Raya, Jurri\u00ebn Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalh\u00e3es, Riccardo Calafiori; Mikel Merino, Mart\u00edn Zubimendi, Declan Rice; Noni Madueke, Viktor Gy\u00f6keres, Gabriel Martinelli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Arsenal team news vs Athletic Bilbao<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mikel Arteta has an extensive injury list heading into Tuesday evening\u2019s tie, with a series of key players currently unavailable.

Captain Martin \u00d8degaard was withdrawn during the Gunners\u2019 3-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest<\/a> at the weekend, having further aggravated an ongoing shoulder issue. The Norwegian remains doubtful for this game, as does fellow midfielder Christian N\u00f8rgaard.

That means Arteta will likely opt for a midfield trio of Mikel Merino, Mart\u00edn 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\u2019t 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.\u00a0

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\u2019s front three. Eze claimed an assist during his impressive performance on Saturday afternoon, but Martinelli boasts far greater European experience.<\/p>\n\n\n

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