Arsenal have won each of their last three visits to Spain, including beating Girona and Real Madrid last season, despite having won only one of their nine previous trips.
Athletic Club won six of seven European home matches last season, their sole defeat coming against Manchester United in May.
Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal preview
After reaching last season's Champions League semi-finals, doing so for just the third time in the club's entire history, will this be the start of the road to Budapest, with Gooners worldwide dreaming of being at the Puskás Aréna in 256 days time? A year ago, Mikel Arteta's team actually finished third in the league phase, losing only once, before dumping out PSV Eindhoven 9-3 and then Real Madrid 5-1, only for their dream to be shattered by Paris Saint-Germain in the last four.
This time round, following three successive third place finishes in the Premier League, the Gunners are doubly determined to end their trophy draught. On Saturday, Arsenal were at their scintillating best, swatting aside Nottingham Forest 3-0 in North London. Martín Zubimendi scored a first-ever career brace, the first of which was a breathtaking volley, while Viktor Gyökeres was also on hand to tap home an Eberechi Eze cut-back. On Sunday, the Gunners will face Manchester City at home, making this a crucial week, even at this early stage, so can they collect three points in Bilbao?
As for Athletic Club, having finished fourth in La Liga last season, they've qualified for the Champions League for just the third time in the modern era, most recently featuring 11 years ago. Ernesto Valverde's side reached last season's Europa League semi-finals, so desperate to feature in a final they were hosting, only to heartbreakingly capitulate against Manchester United.
To start this new campaign, the Lions were in excellent form, well until the weekend that is. Athletic won three out of three in August, enjoying victories over Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano and Real Betis, before a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Alavés at San Mamés on Saturday evening. The hosts mustered 12 shots, to los Albiazules' four, but the game was decided by an Álex Berenguer own goal. Back in the Champions League, Bilbao will be absolutely rocking come Tuesday, so can Athletic claim a major scalp, or will Arsenal collect all three points in the Basque Country?
Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal head-to-head record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Athletic Bilbao team news
Ernesto Valverde is without injured star attacker Nico Williams, who signed a new, ten-year contract during the summer, after he suffered a thigh injury during Spain's 6-0 win in Türkiye last weekend.
Meantime, at centre-back, Yeray Álvarez was hit with a ten-month ban last week after failing a doping test following Athletic's 3-0 mauling against Manchester United in May. Aymeric Laporte was able to re-join the club from Al-Nassr, following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but was not registered in time to be included in the UEFA squad.
Athletic Bilbao predicted lineup vs Arsenal: (4-2-3-1): Simón; Areso, Vivan, Paredes, Berchiche; de Galarreta, Jauregizar, I Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Guruzeta.
Athletic Bilbao player to watch vs Arsenal
In the absence of his brother, Iñaki Williams will be Athletic's danger man. He has scored 111 goals for the club to date, so can the Ghanian international mark his Champions Leaue debut with a goal?
Arsenal team news
The most impressive aspect of Arsenal's victory on Saturday was the fact that they were without Benjamin White, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, while Martin Ødegaard was taken off inside 20 minutes, with Declan Rice rested from the start.
With Manchester City to come on Sunday, will Mikel Arteta utilised the entirety of his squad again? Given that Ødegaard is unlikely to be risk, supporters would like to see Ethan Nwaneri deputise, something Arteta was hesitant to to at Anfield last month. If he does rotate, White and Myles Lewis-Skelly could start at full-back, while deadline day signing Piero Hincapié is hoping to make his debut.
Out-wide, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze were so electrifying at the weekend that surely both will keep their places, chosen over Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, both of whom came off the bench. Lastly, should he feature at any point before matchday 7 against Inter, Max Dowman would become the youngest-ever Champions League player, obliterating Youssoufa Moukoko's record.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Athletic Bilbao: (4-3-3): Raya, White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Nwaneri; Madueke, Eze, Gyökeres.
Arsenal player to watch vs Athletic Bilbao
All three of Viktor Gyökeres' goals for Arsenal to date have come at home, but he did net six times in the Champions League for Sporting last season, so will he fire them to victory in Bilbao?
Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal prediction
We are backing Arsenal for victory at San Mamés. Athletic are missing key personnel, as are Arsenal to be fair, but we're forecasting a win and a clean sheet for the Gunners: Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal.
Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal FAQs - UEFA Champions League
How to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal in the Champions League on TV channel?
Athletic Club Bilbao vs Arsenal in the Champions League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1.
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal in the Champions League on live streaming?
Athletic Club Bilbao vs Arsenal in the Champions League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal in the Champions League?
Athletic Club Bilbao vs Arsenal takes place on Tuesday 16 September 2025, with kick off at 17:45 (BST), 12:45 (EDT) & 9:45 (PDT).