Arsenal are set to kick off their Champions League campaign with a tough away fixture against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday night (September 16, 2025), but they’ll be doing so with a depleted squad.
The Gunners have been hit by an untimely injury crisis, with five key players confirmed to miss the crucial tie at San Mamés.
Among those sidelined are Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Jesus significant absences that present a major headache for manager Mikel Arteta.
Despite the mounting injury woes, Arsenal are still considered favorites heading into the match. Their squad depth this season has impressed, and there's belief they can grind out a result even under pressure.
Arteta confirmed the setbacks in a pre-match press conference, revealing that four players will not be travelling to Spain.
Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are both ruled out due to ongoing recovery from knee injuries. Martin Ødegaard is nursing a shoulder issue, while Ben White has also been ruled out despite having returned to training briefly ahead of the previous fixture.
Adding to the list is Bukayo Saka, who’s also dealing with a knock. Still, Arsenal are far from panicking.
Much of that confidence stems from their new attacking trio. Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze stole the show in their 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest last weekend and are expected to start again.
The promising performances from these summer signings have given Arteta a timely boost. All three are likely to be key figures in filling the void left by their more experienced teammates.
Arsenal’s status as pre-match favorites, even without five key players, is a testament to the strength and depth of their current squad. It's a far cry from previous seasons, where such absences could have derailed their momentum.
This resilience aligns with Arteta’s ambitions in Europe. After falling short in the semifinals last season, the goal is clear: reach the final and compete for the trophy.
Confidence is high within the camp heading into the match. While this will be their first competitive meeting with Bilbao, Arsenal recently beat the Spanish side 3-0 in the Emirates Cup a result that could offer a psychological edge.
