Athletic Bilbao Aims to Cause Upset Against Arsenal in UCL

Arsenal looks to extend its winning streak against Spanish teams in the Champions League as they face Athletic Bilbao. Read more.

Goals expected in intriguing Champions League clash between Athletic Club and Arsenal...

The Champions League returns on Tuesday night, and one of the standout ties is Arsenal's trip to San Mames to face Athletic Club.

It pits last season's semi-finalists from the premier European competition and the Europa League.

Arsenal and Athletic Bilbao's Strong Start to the 2025/26 Season

Both Arsenal and Athletic Bilbao have kicked off the 2025/26 season impressively. Arsenal's recent performance in the Premier League has seen them win three of their four games, securing second place in the table with a single goal conceded - against league leaders Liverpool. Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao is returning to the Champions League after 11 years, with this being only their third appearance in the competition since its rebranding. Their most recent outings in the Champions League were in the 1998/99 and 2014/15 seasons.

Arsenal's strong start is fueled by their revamped attack, which includes new signings like Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze. These players have made a significant impact, with Gyokeres scoring three goals in four matches and Madueke delivering an impressive performance against Nottingham Forest. However, Arsenal faces challenges ahead, particularly with injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz. Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, will be without Nico Williams due to an adductor injury, which could impact their attacking prowess.

Athletic Bilbao sits in fourth position in LaLiga with three wins and one loss, the latter coming against Alavés the previous weekend. Their tight defensive approach is reflected in their statistics, with just six goals scored and four conceded. This approach suggests a potentially low-scoring and closely contested match against Arsenal.

In a pre-season friendly at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal dominated Athletic Bilbao with a 3-0 win, thanks to goals from Viktor Gyökeres, Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz. However, given that this was a friendly and the first official meeting between the two teams, it's uncertain how predictive this result will be for their upcoming Champions League clash.

First-Half Goals Expected in Athletic Club vs Arsenal Match

Given the strong attacking prowess of both teams, first-half goals are a possibility in the upcoming Champions League match between Athletic Club and Arsenal. Athletic Club has scored first in three of their last six matches, with two of those goals coming in the first half. Arsenal, on the other hand, has been impressive in their recent games, winning five out of their last six matches and scoring 14 goals while conceding only twice.

Recent Performance:

• Athletic Club: Won 3, lost 3 in last 6 matches, scoring 6 goals and conceding 10.
• Arsenal: Won 5, lost 1 in last 6 matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding 2.

Prediction and Betting Tips:

Some predictions suggest that Arsenal might have an edge in the match, with odds favoring them to win. The “1st Half Over 0.5 Goals” market is also worth considering, given both teams' scoring abilities. However, another prediction suggests a low-scoring match, backing Under 2.5 goals as the best betting option.

Arsenal has been impressive in their recent games, scoring first in five of their last six matches, with half of their goals coming in the first 45 minutes. They've also maintained a strong defensive record, not conceding before halftime in any of those six games. This could pose a challenge for Athletic Club, who will be without key players due to injuries and suspensions.

Athletic Club will be missing Nico Williams, their talisman, due to a muscle injury expected to keep him sidelined until late September. Additionally, Unai Egiluz is receiving treatment, while Alex Padilla is suspended. Yeray Alvarez is serving a 10-month ban for a doping offense, and Aymeric Laporte is ineligible for this match. To compensate, Ernesto Valverde has made adjustments to the lineup, with De Galarreta and Guruzeta replacing Nico Williams and Prados. Galarreta will play a crucial role in midfield, while Guruzeta will lead the attack.

Lay down a marker. pic.twitter.com/T4j8xNa7dg

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 15, 2025

 

Arsenal's injury woes have deepened with Martin Odegaard joining Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines. Odegaard suffered a shoulder injury during the weekend's match against Nottingham Forest, further complicating matters for Mikel Arteta's squad. William Saliba and Christian Norgaard are set to undergo late fitness tests to determine their availability for the crucial Champions League match against Athletic Bilbao.

Injury Updates:

• Martin Odegaard: Suffered a shoulder injury against Nottingham Forest, with his availability for the Bilbao match uncertain.

• Bukayo Saka: Expected to be out until late September with a hamstring injury.

• Kai Havertz: Dealing with a knee injury, with his return date unknown.

• Gabriel Jesus: Sidelined with a knee injury, expected to return in January 2026.

• William Saliba: Twisted ankle, faces late fitness test.

• Christian Norgaard: Minor issue, faces late fitness test.

Despite these challenges, Arsenal remains in contention for a significant European achievement if they can secure a win against Athletic Bilbao.

Arsenal is on the brink of making history in the Champions League. If they beat Athletic Club, they'll become the first team to win six consecutive games against Spanish opposition in the European Cup or Champions League. This impressive streak would build on their recent successes, including victories over Real Madrid, Sevilla, and Girona since 2023.

Despite this promising run, Arsenal's overall record against Spanish teams in European competitions is more nuanced. They've won only 17 of their 39 matches against Spanish opponents, highlighting the challenge ahead.

Athletic Club, meanwhile, has a respectable record against English teams in European competitions, with six wins and four draws in 20 matches. However, their last win against an English opponent came in 2012, when they defeated Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. This drought adds extra motivation for Arsenal to secure a victory and set a new record.

Athletic Bilbao's Motivation Against Arsenal

Athletic Bilbao's ability to grind out results and play on the counter-attack could pose a significant challenge for Arsenal, who are likely to dominate possession. This tactical approach may frustrate the visitors and limit their scoring opportunities.

The hosts are also driven by the memory of their 7-1 aggregate loss to Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals last season. This experience serves as a powerful motivator, fueling their determination to avoid a similar outcome against another top English team. With a strong sense of pride and a desire for redemption, Athletic Bilbao will be looking to make a statement against Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta's connection to Real Sociedad adds an intriguing subplot to Arsenal's Champions League match against Athletic Bilbao. Arteta played for Real Sociedad early in his career, joining the club in 2004 with the intention of playing alongside his friend Xabi Alonso. Although Alonso left for Liverpool shortly after Arteta's arrival, this experience shaped Arteta's understanding of Spanish football.

Several Arsenal players have strong ties to Real Sociedad. Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, and Martin Zubimendi have all joined Arsenal from the Spanish club. Odegaard, in particular, has become a key player for Arsenal, serving as the team's captain and creative heartbeat. Zubimendi's potential transfer to Arsenal would further solidify the link between the two clubs.

A win on Tuesday would obviously give Arsenal a great boost, but regardless of the outcome, there's still plenty of Champions League football to come. Securing points on the board early on can set a positive tone for the rest of the competition. This match is set for September 16, 2025, at 17:45 WAT at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain. Arsenal's strong recent performance against Spanish teams in the Champions League, including a 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid last season, could give them an edge. Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao will be without their star forward Nico Williams due to injury, which might impact their scoring chances.

The Champions League is back ✨ pic.twitter.com/c1QQsH0Fvw

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 15, 2025