Arsenal are preparing to face Athletic Club in their opening match of the 2025/26 Champions League campaign. The Gunners will travel to San Mames, hoping to start their European journey on a positive note. Mikel Arteta is dealing with a few injury concerns but has a squad ready to compete. Fans are eager to see how Arsenal will perform in their return to the Champions League.
Arsenal injury updates ahead of Athletic Club clash
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that several players will miss the match against Athletic Club. Bukayo Saka remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. Ben White, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus are also unavailable. Havertz and Jesus are recovering from long-term knee injuries.
William Saliba has returned to training and is fit for selection. However, the Arsenal manager is taking a cautious approach with Saka’s return. The timescale for Saka’s comeback remains uncertain, as he still has “quite a lot of things to go through.”
Arteta acknowledged the limitations caused by the injuries. “Unfortunately, we have a few players already out, so that is already limited in certain positions,” he stated. The Arsenal manager hopes the team’s performance level will compensate for the absences.
Cristhian Mosquera to start for Arsenal against Athletic Bilbao
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David Raya is expected to start in goal for Arsenal. The Gunners are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation. Jurrien Timber, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Riccardo Calafiori are set to form the defensive line. Mosquera is expected to start ahead of Saliba, as Arteta eases Saliba back into the team.
Mikel Merino will likely join Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice in midfield. Martin Odegaard is still recovering from a shoulder injury. The midfield trio will aim to control the game’s tempo and provide support to the attack.
Eberechi Eze poised for Champions League debut
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Viktor Gyokeres is set to lead the Arsenal attack against Athletic Club. Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze will support him from the wings. Eberechi Eze is in line to make his Champions League debut in this match.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Merino, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze.
Arsenal’s opening Champions League match presents both challenges and opportunities. Injuries have impacted squad selection, but it also allows other players to step up. The performance of players like Eberechi Eze and Cristhian Mosquera will be closely watched as Arsenal aims for a positive start in the Champions League.