Athletic Club vs Arsenal Predictions

This is going to be an important fixture for both clubs, and both will be keen on securing three points. Arsenal are the favourites here, but the best bet is for both teams to score

Match info: UEFA Champions League

Venue: San Mames, Bilbao

Date: Tuesday, 16^th September 2025

Time: 5:45 pm Nigerian time

Clashing in competitive action for the very first time, Arsenal and Athletic Bilbao open their 2025-26 Champions League league phase campaigns on Tuesday at the San Mames Stadium.

The Gunners have only been on an upward trajectory in Europe since returning to the elite, while their hosts are competing in the Champions League proper for just the third time ever.

Head-to-head:

• Both teams have never met in the UEFA Champions League before.
• Their only encounter was in a friendly match in August and Arsenal won 3-0.
• Two of the three players that scored are injured now.
• Arsenal have secured three clean sheets in their last four matches.
• Athletic Club have won three of their last four matches.

Form:

• Athletic Club in all competitions: W-W-W-L
• Arsenal in all competitions: W-W-L-W

Team News:

• Athletic Club will be without the services of Nico Williams, Benat Prados, Inigo Lekue and Unai Eguiluz as they are injured.
• Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Ben White will not be in action for Arsenal as they are injured. William Saliba has been in a couple of training sessions with the first team, but is most likely to be on the bench. Gabriel Jesus is injured and has not been registered for the UCL by the Gunners as of now.

Player(s) to watch:

• Inaki Williams will be looking to step up here. Due to the absence of Nico Williams, Inaki will have a major responsibility on his shoulders. He is yet to score a goal in the new season, but the 31-year-old is a talented individual and is going to cause issues for the Premier League team’s defence.
• Martin Zubimendi came up with a top-notch performance in the previous Premier League outing for Arsenal. Martin Zubimendi scored a brace. Despite being a midfielder, he was a complete threat to the opponent’s defence in the final third. He is going to play an important role yet again.