Athletic Club vs Arsenal – Match Preview and Team News | OneFootball

Arsenal begin their quest for European glory on Tuesday with a trip to San Mamés to face Athletic Club.

The Gunners are chasing a piece of history in their Champions League opener. A victory would make them the first team ever to win six consecutive matches against Spanish opposition in the competition.

They face a tough test, however, against an Athletic side making their return to Europe’s top table for the first time in over a decade.

Athletic Club vs Arsenal – Match Preview and Team News

Team News

Athletic Club

Ernesto Valverde has been dealt a major blow with the loss of star winger Nico Williams, who is out with a groin injury. The influential Spaniard’s absence is a significant setback. In addition, the hosts will be without Beñat Prados and Iñigo Lekue, while defender Aymeric Laporte was not registered in their Champions League squad.

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta faces an anxious wait over the fitness of his captain, Martin Ødegaard, who is a major doubt after a recurrence of a shoulder injury. Defender William Saliba has returned to training and could be available. Ben White is also ruled out. However, the Gunners remain without long-term absentees Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus.

Form

Athletic Club

The Basque side’s perfect start to the La Liga season was ended abruptly at the weekend. After three consecutive wins, they suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to rivals Alavés. Despite that result, their home form in Europe under Valverde has been strong, winning six of their last seven matches at the imposing San Mamés.

Arsenal

The Gunners enter the match full of confidence after an emphatic 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday. They have an excellent record in the Champions League in recent seasons, having reached the semi-finals last year. Furthermore, Mikel Arteta’s side have accumulated the second-highest number of points in the group stages over the last two editions of the tournament.

Predicted Lineups

Athletic Club predicted XI: Simon; Areso, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Guruzetta

Arsenal predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapié, Rice, Zubimendi; Nwaneri, Madueke, Eze; Gyökeres.

How to watch Athletic Club vs Arsenal?

The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports in the UK, with coverage beginning at 7 pm BST.

Read – The last five first-time Champions League and European Cup winners

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