Tue Sep 16 16:00:00 UTC 2025: **Arsenal Aim for Champions League Glory in Bilbao Opener**
Bilbao, Spain – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his excitement ahead of the Gunners’ Champions League opener against Athletic Club at San Mames stadium. Despite being drawn against a tough opponent in Athletic Bilbao, the manager said his team would be trying to give themselves the best possible chance to win the games.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Arteta confirmed that Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Ben White, and Martin Odegaard remain sidelined through injury. However, he emphasized that this will offer the team the chance to rotate the team and maintain freshness.
When questioned about Arsenal’s chances of winning the Champions League, Arteta acknowledged the challenge, highlighting the small margins in the competition and the need for a fully fit squad. He also reflected on last season’s semi-final defeat, using it as motivation for this campaign. “It’s painful because it’s not only what we feel, it’s about the expectation that we created and the real conviction that we had within the club, the team, that we could go all the way because we showed a very high level of consistency and quality throughout the competition and learn from it and try to be better.”
Arteta praised Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde, whom he has known and looked up to for a long time, while anticipating a difficult and demanding match. He downplayed the significance of their pre-season friendly against Athletic, stating that the Champions League encounter will be a “different world”.
When asked about a possible transfer of a famous player, Nico Williams, he was vague about a possible pursuit. He confirmed that he considers him a ‘great player’, but refused to go into more detail.
The manager also expressed his frustration with injuries to key players during international duty, but acknowledged it as part of the game.
Arteta’s family will be in attendance, adding extra importance for him.
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