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Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Athletic Bilbao - Champions League

Arsenal travel to the Basque country to face Athletic Bilbao for the first time ever in a competitive match. The Gunners will be hoping to get off to a flying start to the League phase as they endeavour to go two steps further than last season and lift the Champions League trophy for the first time in their history.

With Arsenal captain, Martin Odegaard, ruled out through injury, Arteta has a range of options open to him on Tuesday night. Declan Rice, who was rested for most of Saturday's match at home to Nottingham Forest, will almost certainly return to the starting lineup.

Mikel Arteta is unlikely to rotate his side much from the weekend as he looks to get off to a strong start in the competition.

Here's how the Arsenal starting XI could look as they take on Athletic Bilbao.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Athletic Bilbao (4-3-3)

Cristhian Mosquera

Arsenal v Nottingham Forest - Premier League | Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - Having conceded just one goal in four matches so far this season, it would be a major surprise to see David Raya stood down for this one.

Jurriën Timber (RB) - Ben White remains sidelined due to injury and Timber has done well enough to make the place his own in White's absence.

Christhian Mosquera (CB) - Tuesday night may still be too soon for William Saliba to return from an ankle injury. Mosquera has deputised admirably for the Frenchman and made his full debut at the Emirates against Forest on Saturday. Expect him to continue alongside Gabriel with Piero Hincapié having to make do with another shift on the bench.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) - Continuing to partner Mosquera in the centre of defence, he will look to build on his performance against Forest as he continues to perform well after his recovery from a long-term injury.

Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - Arguably Arsenal's player of the season so far, Calafiori should get the nod ahead of both Myles Lewis-Skelly and Piero Hincapié who can also play in the position.

Midfielders

Mikel Merino

Arsenal v Nottingham Forest - Premier League | Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

Martin Zubimendi (DM) - The star of the show on Saturday will be relishing the opportunity to play against Athletic Bilbao after joining Arsenal from Bilbao's local rivals Real Sociedad in the summer.

Mikel Merino (CM) - After one of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt in the home win against Forest on Saturday, Merino fully deserves to hold onto his place in Arteta's starting lineup.

Declan Rice (CM) - Returning after international duty, Rice could find himself in a more attacking role on Tuesday night. The focus could be on keeping things tight early on which may have Arteta leaning on Rice to add bite to the midfield from the kick-off. As a result, Ethan Nwaneri may have to wait to make an impact.

Forwards

Eberechi Eze, Eze

Arsenal FC Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 | Harry Murphy/GettyImages

Noni Madueke (RW) - Madueke has been in excellent form since joining the club from Chelsea in the summer. Shifting to the right in Saka's absence, Madueke's desire to take his marker on has ensured that Saka has not been greatly missed.

Viktor Gyökeres (ST) - Gyökeres has three goals in four Premier League starts despite feeding off scraps for the most part. Arteta took the opportunity to rest the Swedish striker for the final third of Saturday's win over Forest ahead of this one.

Eberechi Eze (LW) - Eze made a telling contribution for Gyökeres' tap in on Saturday and he will probably start again on the left. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard (who grabbed an assist at the weekend) will be waiting in the wings.

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