The curtain rises on this season’s UEFA Champions League in Bilbao, where Athletic Club begin their first main draw campaign in more than a decade against Arsenal. The Basques earned their place with a fourth-place finish in La Liga last season.
Their previous appearance in Europe’s top competition came in 2014 to 2015 and ended at the group stage, but their Europa League semi-final run last term showed genuine European pedigree. San Mames was central to that progress, with six wins from seven continental home matches, although the one defeat arrived against English opposition in the form of Manchester United. Domestic momentum slipped at the weekend with a one-nil home loss to Alaves, bringing an end to a perfect start in the league.
Arsenal travel in a confident mood after a three-nil victory over Nottingham Forest, yet that result came with a concern as captain Martin Odegaard departed in the first half to join a growing injury list. Mikel Arteta still has reason to be optimistic. Across the last two editions of the Champions League, only Real Madrid collected more points in the group or league phase than Arsenal, and the Gunners have won four of their last five away matches in this competition, even if they conceded in all five of those outings.
This will be the first competitive meeting between Athletic and Arsenal. Recent history favours the visitors in one respect, as Arsenal have won each of their last five matches against Spanish clubs, three of them last season. Even so, Athletic tend to thrive at home in Europe. All three of their home fixtures this season have been decided by a single goal, and their last six European nights at San Mames produced at least one first-half goal, which hints at a quick tempo and an intense atmosphere from the start.
The spotlight will fall on Inaki Williams, who could become the first non-Spanish player to represent Athletic in the Champions League. He opened the scoring in three of his four European scoring appearances last season, and his direct running remains a constant outlet for Ernesto Valverde’s side. For Arsenal, Martin Zubimendi arrives on the back of a brace at the weekend, although his personal record in Bilbao is bleak with four straight away defeats against Athletic. Team news may also shape the evening. Nico Williams missed the Alaves match and remains a doubt for the hosts, while Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Kai Havertz were absent for Arsenal’s weekend win, in addition to the concern over Odegaard.
The balance of form suggests a finely poised contest. Arsenal brings the firepower and collective experience that comes from back-to-back strong league phase returns. Athletic counter with a formidable record at San Mames in European competition and a habit of striking early on home soil. With those forces pulling against each other, a draw appears a credible outcome for a match that should showcase intensity, quality and a hint of opening night nerves.
