Athletic Club vs Arsenal live: Saliba injury latest as Champions League kicks off in Bilbao | OneFootball

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Raya and Arteta insist Arsenal have learned from 'painful' UCL semi-final exit

Arsenal begin their bid for Champions League immortality tonight as they take on Athletic Club in their league phase opener.

Mikel Arteta’s side suffered continental heartbreak last term, crashing out in the semi-finals at the hands of eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.

It acted as a sour end to a memorable European campaign, which saw Declan Rice’s stunning free-kick double against Real Madrid make one of the greatest nights in the club’s history. The Gunners now begin the new season with glory in their sights, taking on an Athletic side who they comfortably dispatched in pre-season.

Nico Williams is out with a groin injury for the hosts after the Spain winger picked up the issue in the 6-0 win over Turkey during the international break. While Mikel Arteta will have to utilise his squad depth with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all out - while William Saliba is a doubt.

Why three English players reflect growing crises at Spain’s biggest clubs

When Thomas Tuchel called Trent Alexander-Arnold to tell him he was out of September’s England squad, the German said he was conscious of the right-back having to adapt to a new life in Madrid, but still stressed another point. This was also a football decision.

Alexander-Arnold isn’t as settled as some of his right-back rivals, and Tuchel wants to see how Xabi Alonso uses him. The England manager knows he’s going to spend a lot of time watching Spanish football this season, and may well witness an interesting dynamic in the Champions League this week.

Atletico Madrid’s trip to Liverpool – before Real Madrid follow in November – will showcase it through Conor Gallagher. For the first time in history, all three of the big Spanish clubs feature an English player at the same time.

Why three English players reflect growing crises at Spain’s biggest clubs

For the first time, all three of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid feature an English player at the same time, reflecting an interesting dynamic as the Champions League returns this week

Chris Wilson16 September 2025 15:25