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.

Team news

Teams should be released in the next five minutes or so, so here’s a reminder of the early Arsenal team news...

William Saliba trained ahead of the trip to Bilbao and could return to the squad, but Bukayo Saka remains out and Martin Odegaard is also set to miss the match after his latest right shoulder injury.

Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze could make their Champions League debuts after impressing in the win over Nottingham Forest. Declan Rice should return and Cristhian Mosquera could keep his place.

Chris Wilson16 September 2025 16:10

The Champions League’s existential threat is closer than you think

In the days before this Champions League season began, there was considerable agitation about one big topic that may yet change its future.

The Uefa Executive Committee met on Thursday, after a lot of lobbying, to allow LaLiga to play games abroad. It was ultimately decided that the issue had so many potential complications that it required more discussion.

LaLiga’s fiery president, Javier Tebas, would instead argue it’s all very simple, and point to this Champions League week. An unprecedented six Premier League clubs are involved, showcasing the competition’s uncatchable power.

The Champions League’s existential threat is closer than you think

As six Premier League teams enter the Champions League this season, the ‘Super League’ has already arrived, explains Miguel Delaney – forcing Europe’s heavyweights to explore divisive ideas

Chris Wilson16 September 2025 15:50