The Arsenal begin our latest quest for our first ever UEFARCE Champions League in sunny Bilbao against Athletic Club in tomorrow’s early kick off at San Mames.
Last season’s Champions League campaign produced some truly euphoric memories before it all came crashing down on an unforgiving early summer’s evening in Paris. After that magical night in Madrid, I don’t think I’m alone in thinking this would finally be our year. Sadly, due to our ridiculously bad luck with injuries and Donnarumma’s string of remarkable saves, it wasn’t to be. However, given our unprecedented summer of spending, perhaps this year we will finally get our hands on the trophy that has always found a way of eluding us and instead finding the hands of some less deserving entities, shall we say.
On paper, this is probably a game we should win. In the grand scheme of things, a draw wouldn’t be the end of the world, but we are building momentum following the convincing win over Forest and it would be quite ideal to continue that ahead of the visit of the biggest soulless entity of them all on Sunday afternoon.
Bilbao are a decent side by all accounts, but they did lose their 100% start to the La Liga season going down 1-0 to Alaves on Saturday. They have some decent players like goalkeeper Unai Simon who actually starts for Spain over David Raya. There is also Nico Williams who was of course heavily linked with a move to N5 along with a host of other clubs before penning a 10(!) year contract with his boyhood club in the summer. No place like home, I suppose.
Athletic are of course famous for their policy of only signing Basque players meaning a lot of investment goes into their academy. Their local approach makes it all the more impressive that they have never been relegated from the Spanish top tier. In fact, outside of the evil twins Barca and Real they are undoubtedly one of Spain’s most successful clubs winning La Liga eight times and the Copa Del Rey 24 times which is only bettered by Barcelona.
Bilbao’s main rivals are Real Sociedad so I’m sure Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi will be expecting and receiving a frosty reception to say the least. Nothing they can’t handle, I’m sure! Athletic were one of the founder members of La Liga in 1928 and by 1930 five of the ten clubs in the division were Basque. The saying, “with home-grown teams and support, there is no need to import” became particularly apt. It doesn’t exactly rhyme in Spanish, but it almost does. The club went through a lot of turmoil following the Civil War in the 1930’s and had to rebuild the team almost from scratch which they were able to do and by the 1950’s they were winning league titles.
Athletic struggled for glory in the 60’s and 70’s partially due to the dominance of Real Madrid but they returned to glory in 1983 winning the title with great players such as Luis De La Fuente who of course now manages the Spanish National team. They have not managed to win the title since. The 21st century has been a little up and down but Athletic seem to have resolidified themselves as a solid European side. They reached the 2012 Europa League Final only to lose to Atletico Madrid and in 2024 they ended a 40 year wait for Copa Del Rey glory, beating Mallorca 4-2 in the final.
Athletic are clearly a club who are immensely proud of their heritage and rightly so. It’s a small city but famous for its great cuisine and of course bull fighting. Due to the short turnaround and lack of flights, away tickets have gone all the way down to red members so hopefully plenty of Gooners will be afforded the chance to watch us on the continent and to sample the culture and local watering holes!
As for the team selection, I don’t think Arteta will want to tinker too much with the team ahead of Sunday, but we may well see a debut for Piero Hincapié. And perhaps, Nwaneri will be given a start in Ødegaard’s likely absence. You can only rotate so much in the Champions League which Arteta will be aware of. There are no easy games in this competition. Apart from Spurs obviously. And Celtic and Rangers both failed to qualify so I suppose someone must take over the role of European Cup cannon fodder.
But unlike the two North London Derbies we play every year, Bilbao will provide a stern test, and it will be a good early examination of our potential Champions League winning credentials. we are one of the competition favourites and teams will be set up against us with that in mind. Last year we proved we can lump it with the European elite, now we must maintain it.
COYG!!
Well, well, well, I learned a lot there for which I’m grateful. Here was me thinking we’d win this one a canter. We may still do, but your preview certainly has cast a shadow of doubt over me, 21CG.
Our team is difficult to predict but I suspect this is an evening on which David Raya will be enjoying the view from the bench rather than from between the sticks. I’m hoping to see Hincapie start, Nwaneri embellish his midfield resume and goals from Gyok and Merino.
Enjoy wherever you’re watching the game.
Good stuff 21CG. Very informative, as BtM observes.
Heads up Holics. We kick off at 5.45pm UK time tomorrow.
Thanks 21CG! Diligently researched and lucidly presented pragmatic perspectives — I am sure Mikel would love the preview, and so did I. 🙂
And thanks Matt for the excellent review of the Forest game. It was an enjoyable read, and nothing much to add except maybe point out the indirect contribution of Gyökeres in the good performance of our wingers, especially Madueke. Viktor occupies the central positions with so much intensity, presence and runs the channels so tirelessly the central defenders can’t afford to leave him and join the fullbacks, allowing our wingers the kind of space that players of their quality would love. Madueke was particularly sensational (I think by the end of the season his final ball/decision making too will mature to benefit us even more from the one-on-one abilities), and can’t wait to see Saka back to full fitness playing with Viktor.
From our four away matches in CL group stages — Bilbao, Brugge, Slavia Praha and Inter — a total of nine points would be most welcome, especially given that we would need to play Bayern and Athletico at home, both of which would be tricky. Starting the CL with a win also helps eases the pressure early on in this new format where an upset or two can make things difficult very quickly. Finishing in the top eight has a lot of advantages — including more midweek rest in the winter — and I am certain Mikel will start the team most likely to win but without risking either Saliba or Martin. Merino had a very good game in the weekend, and he surely would be pumped up against the old enemy, so would be interesting to see whether he retains his first eleven role or gives away to Rice. Maybe the midfield that started at Liverpool? Though that would take away from our creativity in the final third, and Ethan would be unfortunate to miss out after his composed, responsible and effective performance in the weekend.
Clean sheet and a win would be nice — 2-0?
Last season we began the new Champions League campaign with a similar fixture at Atalanta and drew 0-0 with Raya making that incredible double save from the penalty . This game is similarly testing and after it, like after the Atalanta game we play C130y in the League .
I think Mikel has ‘ got’ rotation now and will shuffle the pack . I suspect we may see Rice, Zubi and Merino starting tomorrow and I think Mosquera may retain his place . As 21CG writes in an excellent preview, a draw won’t be a disaster but we should win , possibly 2-1 Btm has got the scorers spot on. I’m at the Oval tomorrow so will have to work out a way to watch the match . Vamos Arsenal !
Thanks 21CG for an excellent preview. I remember that 2012 final as my
boss at the time was a Bilbao fan and they had knocked out Manure on
their way to the final. They had a fair side at the time but the good Falcao did for them (not the one that moved to Manure later 😀) that day.
Haven’t seem much of Bilbao recently but I assume they are not bad as
they were 4th in La Liga with the meanest defence in the division. Given
that then I am hoping for a One nil to the The Arsenal night
I have no idea who MA will start but may as well guess wildly
Kepa
Timber Saliba Gabriel MLS
Nwaneri Zubi Rice
Madueke Gyokeres Martinelli
Thanks 21CG – like BtM I learned a lot there.
It’s great not being able to predict the team – and not worry that changes will severely weaken us – but I agree with TTG that we could well start with a midfield of Zubimendi, Rice and Merino, to maximise our experience against the Spaniards, with Ethan coming on at 65 / 70. Likewise Mosquera – no harm in giving Saliba as much time to recover as he absolutely needs.
Just an after thought on team selection – are we likely to be facing Bilbao Baggins ? 😳
Cheers 21CG. Very nicely setup.
A win to start the CL campaign would be very welcome. Let’s see what Mikel does with the team, but I’m sure everyone involved will be fully switched on and up for the challenge.
Cheers 21CG!
Cheers 21CG. Let’s hope we bask in basque country later.
An entertaining and informative preview, 21cg, for which many thanks. Last year I flew into Bilbao airport via Amsterdam and the connection was convenient even as it was’nt football season at the time. Is there still time now for a late flight? If not, it’s COYG from my customary afar posting.
Re: Ollie @10. That was quite cringeworthy but made me smile nonetheless . 😃
Re: Trev @ 7. Much the same. 😀
The doggie did the double on her morning walk. A good portent for thegoal scoring prospects of one Mikel Merino perhaps?
Thanks 21CG for a fine review. The new format ECL is a definite improvement fr9m the previous incarnation. This is a tricky start for us but we showed last year we were quite capable of getting positive results at intimidating away grounds. Athletico will be much improved from their pre-season visit to the NHOF – they had yet to shake the summer sand off their boots – but so we will. Despite our injuries Mikel will still have a formidable Squad to choose from an enjoyable 2-0 to the good guys will be just dandy.
COYRRR
Line up
https://x.com/arsenalwenger49/status/1967976800967069897?s=61&t=cVFjCyGkt4y-Ne45LtfqkQ
A very strong team and a bench full of really tasty potential subs. Mikel wants to win in style.
2 goalies on the bench … ??? Has ‘teta got a cunningly peculiar stats-based corporate mumbo jumbo plan tucked somewhere up him’s almost always immaculately styled sleeve … ?
UTA!
He always has two goalies on the bench in Europe.
Front three, great. Back four, great.
Very slightly disappointed in the midfield. I’d rather have seen Ethan rather than Merino. But I can understand why he’s done it.
COYG!
PheW!
UTA!
Plenty of the dark arts from Athletico.
0-0 at half time is ok. I was surprised at how few changes but it is a tricky game.
I’d hook Declan. They’re trying to get him sent off anyway.
Yeah I wondered about that with Declan but I expect some subs soon. .
Big Vic off, Tross on.
I was expecting it to be Eze off, but Merino to move up front instead
Now it is Eze but for Gabi M
Little Gabi! Brilliant goal!
Well those subs worked! Great goal
Pleased for Gabi too.
Great assist by Tross!
Trossard! Gabi returns the gentleman’s favour!
Nicely put to bed and a good start to our CL campaign
Right I think I’ll watch Real Madrid. Can’t be arsed to watch that lot up the road.
Blimey Auba’s still playing (for OM)
I really, really hope Martinelli finds his form again. Works like a Trojan and is as close to being “one of our own” as you could be as a foreigner.
Hopefully tonight will have done his confidence a world of good.
>>>>>>>>