Surveying the scene: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and goalkeeper David Raya on location at San Mames
Arsenal begin their latest bid for Champions League glory in Bilbao tonight. The Gunners travel to the Basque Country hoping to deliver an early statement victory in this season’s league phase to show there will be no lasting hangover from last year’s agonising semi-final defeat by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain. Mikel Arteta’s side should be in good spirits at San Mames after bouncing back from their narrow loss at Liverpool before the international break by brushing aside Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
However, Arsenal are facing yet more injury strife with captain Martin Odegaard unavailable this evening with another shoulder issue, joining Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines. William Saliba should return after an ankle problem, though there is no Ben White again.
Athletic Club had won all of their first three games in LaLiga before Saturday’s surprise home defeat by Alaves, with long-time Arsenal transfer target Nico Williams currently out with an injury suffered on international duty with Spain. Ernesto Valverde’s team reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last season but have not played at this level since 2014/15. Follow Athletic Club vs Arsenal live below!
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live TNT Sports 1. Coverage begins at 5pm BST.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action via Standard Sport’s dedicated live match blog!
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Athletic Club vs Arsenal!
The start of the league phase of this season's Champions League gets underway today! Athletic are bidding to return to winning ways after losing to Alaves at the weekend while the Gunners are looking to build on their impressive victory over Nottingham Forest.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 5.45pm BST from San Mames. Stick with us!
The Standard