Arteta has looked to build a squad capable of competing across multiple fronts and it will be put to the test at Athletic

Arsenal kick off their Champions League campaign away at Athletic Bilbao tonight as the Gunners go in search of their first title in the competition after last season’s heartbreak.

Mikel Arteta’s side lost out to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, after a sensational victory over Real Madrid at the quarter-final stage.

It meant Arsenal finished the season without silverware after falling short of a title challenge in the Premier League but the Gunners have invested heavily over the summer.

Arteta has looked to build a squad capable of competing across multiple fronts and it will be put to the test at Athletic, who finished fourth in LaLiga last season.

What is the 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.

Nico Williams is unavailable for Athletic Bilbao due to an abductor injury.

Athletic Club’s Strong Start and Key Absences

Athletic Club have made an excellent start in LaLiga, winning their first three games before suffering a 1-0 defeat at home to Alaves. Ernesto Valverde’s side sealed their return to the Champions League for the first time since 2014/15 with a fifth-place finish last term, though they did lose to Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals.

The Basque club will be without star winger Nico Williams, who picked up an adductor injury while playing for Spain. Benat Prados and Unai Egiluz are also sidelined, while Yeray Alvarez remains suspended.

Possible line-ups

Athletic Bilbao XI: Simon; Areso, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Vesga, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Sannadi.

Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Merino; Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze.