HALF-TIMEpublished at 18:37 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
I'll be honest, not a great watch.
Summary
Follow live coverage of six games on opening night of Champions League
Arsenal under way against Athletic Club before Tottenham host Villarreal at 20:00 BST
Watch BBC Radio 5 Live Champions League Final Score at top of page, including commentary of both matches
Real Madrid v Marseille & Juventus & Dortmund also on Tuesday
Press 'get involved' at top of page to join conversation
HALF-TIMEpublished at 18:37 BST
Postpublished at 18:36 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Sloppy by Gabriel and Athletic Club have a chance to snatch the lead on the stroke of half-time but cannot make it count.
Postpublished at 18:35 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Thousands and thousands of Athletic Club fans, all wearing red and white shirts, are bouncing up and down on the spot.
Can the TV cameras just focus on them? Much more interesting than anything happening on the pitch.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 18:33 BST
Comment at the top of this page, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Neither team wants to risk anything so far, very cautious from both sides, just hope both teams are not happy with a draw to start their campaigns.
Daniel, Tonbridge
Postpublished at 18:33 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Plenty of fireworks off the pitch in terms of the frenzied atmosphere in the stands. Sadly, very little in terms of fireworks on the pitch as half-time looms.
CLOSE!published at 18:30 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
A really dangerous moment for Arsenal!
Alex Berenguer flashes an attempt narrowly wide of the post from an angle after the Gunners are caught out by Inaki Williams.
The home side loved that!
Image source, Getty Imagesget involved Get Involvedpublished at 18:28 BST
Comment at the top of this page, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Tom: To Z @ 18:23 You need to show more respect to Bilbao. They're a very good team, at home, in Europe. Arsenal don't have the right to come in with a B-team and expect a win.
Postpublished at 18:28 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres has now recorded 3 or more attempts in three of his five games for Arsenal in all competitions this season, with today the first time he's done so in an away game for the Gunners.
'Game of few opportunities'published at 18:25 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Paul Robinson
Former Tottenham goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live at San MamesIt's a game being played very much in the middle of the pitch. There's been few opportunities and we haven't spoken about either keeper much. That shows where the game's being played most of the time.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 18:25 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Is Declan Rice on a final warning?
The midfielder, who is already on a yellow, catches Andoni Gorosabel and the referee gives Rice a hard look before awarding the home side a free-kick.
GOAL - PSV 0-2 Union Saint-Gilloisepublished at 18:25 BST
Anouar Ait El Hadj (39 mins)
What a start for the Belgians!
They've doubled their lead in Eindhoven, overturning the ball in the hosts' half before unleashing Anouar Ait El Hadj.
He then produces a brilliant solo goal, weaving through the PSV defence and slotting home.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 18:23 BST
Comment at the top of this page, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Why is Arteta fielding his strongest XI? Why not give Hincapie/Lewis-Skelly game-time and focus on the Man City game at the weekend?
Z, London
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 18:22 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Will Mikel Arteta be happy with this?
His side have certainly shown more attacking threat in the last few minutes, while the Gunners have registered the only attempt on target of the match so far.
We're 10 minutes or so from half-time.
Postpublished at 18:20 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
There was a three or four minute delay to allow Viktor Gyokeres to get patched up. He's back on his feet now and play is back under way.
'Gyokeres has come off worse'published at 18:19 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Paul Robinson
Former Tottenham goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live at San MamesViktor Gyokeres has a free header. It's Gyokeres and Gabriel and Gyokeres has come off the worse of the two.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 18:19 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Alex Howell
BBC Sport football reporter in San Mames StadiumIt looks a big cut on the back of Viktor Gyokeres' head.
Gabriel really threw his head at the ball as he tried to score but the defender clashed heads with his team-mate who is now down and needing treatment.
Postpublished at 18:19 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Gyokeres is going to carry on with a bandage wrapped around his head. It's Terry Butcher all over again.
Postpublished at 18:18 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Ouch!
Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel clash heads while attempting to meet a free-kick pumped into the home box.
Gabriel looks OK but there is blood coming from Gyokeres' head.
Postpublished at 18:16 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres registered six Champions League goals for Sporting last season. He looks hungry to add to his three Premier League goals for his new club.
'Wonderful ball from Timber'published at 18:14 BST
Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Paul Robinson
Former Tottenham goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live at San MamesMuch better from Arsenal. They look so much better when they're trying to impose themselves. It was a wonderful in the box from Jurrien Timber.
That's what they've missed from Viktor Gyokeres. We've talked so much about them missing that type of number nine. He threw himself at it.
UEFA Champions League Scores & Fixtures
Tuesday 16th September
UEFA Champions League Table
On Tuesday 16th September
Skip to table keyMatch Participants:
- Arsenal, Position 2, Points 1
- Athletic Club, Position 3, Points 1
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Union Saint-Gilloise | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| |
4 Ajax | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
10 Benfica | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
11 Bodø / Glimt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
14 Club Brugge | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
16 København | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
17 Galatasaray | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
20 Kairat | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
27 Olympiakos Piraeus | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
29 Pafos | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
30 Qarabağ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
32 Slavia Prague | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
33 Sporting CP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
36 PSV | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
Key
- Position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 : 8th Finals
- Position 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 : Play-off
Team Lineups
home team, Athletic Club
Manager: Ernesto Valverde
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
- 1, Simón, Goalkeeper
- 2, Gorosabel, Defender3, Vivian, Defender4, Paredes, Defender19, Boiro, Defender
- 18, Jauregizar, Defensive Midfielder6, Vesga, Defensive Midfielder
- 7, Berenguer, Attacking Midfielder8, Sancet, Attacking Midfielder23, Navarro, Attacking Midfielder
- 9, Iñaki Williams, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, Unai Simón
- Number 19, Adama Boiro
- Number 4, Aitor Paredes
- Number 3, Dani Vivian
- Number 2, Andoni Gorosabel
- Number 6, Mikel Vesga
- Number 18, Mikel Jauregizar
- Number 23, Robert Navarro
- Number 8, Oihan Sancet
- Number 7, Alex Berenguer
- Number 9, I. Williams , Captain
Substitutes
home team, Athletic Club
- Number 12, Jesús Areso
- Number 17, Yuri
- Number 11, Gorka Guruzeta
- Number 20, Unai Gómez
- Number 15, Íñigo Lekue
- Number 27, Á. Padilla
- Number 30, Alejandro Rego
- Number 16, Íñigo Ruíz de Galarreta
- Number 21, M. Sannadi
- Number 26, Mikel Santos
- Number 22, Nico Serrano
- Number 34, Jon de Luis
away team, Arsenal
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Pitch Formation
- 1, Raya, Goalkeeper
- 12, Timber, Defender3, Mosquera, Defender6, Gabriel Magalhães, Defender33, Calafiori, Defender
- 23, Merino, Midfielder36, Zubimendi, Midfielder41, Rice, Midfielder
- 20, Madueke, Striker14, Gyökeres, Striker10, Eze, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, David Raya
- Number 33, R. Calafiori
- Number 6, Gabriel Magalhães , Captain
- Number 3, Cristhian Mosquera
- Number 12, J. Timber
- Number 41, D. Rice , Yellow Card at 7 minutes
- Number 36, Martín Zubimendi
- Number 23, Mikel Merino
- Number 10, E. Eze
- Number 14, V. Gyökeres
- Number 20, N. Madueke
away team, Arsenal
- Number 13, Kepa Arrizabalaga
- Number 56, M. Dowman
- Number 5, P. Hincapié
- Number 49, M. Lewis-Skelly
- Number 11, Gabriel Martinelli
- Number 22, E. Nwaneri
- Number 2, W. Saliba
- Number 35, T. Setford
- Number 16, C. Nørgaard
- Number 19, L. Trossard
home team, Athletic Club
Manager: Ernesto Valverde
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
- 1, Simón, Goalkeeper
- 2, Gorosabel, Defender3, Vivian, Defender4, Paredes, Defender19, Boiro, Defender
- 18, Jauregizar, Defensive Midfielder6, Vesga, Defensive Midfielder
- 7, Berenguer, Attacking Midfielder8, Sancet, Attacking Midfielder23, Navarro, Attacking Midfielder
- 9, Iñaki Williams, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, Unai Simón
- Number 19, Adama Boiro
- Number 4, Aitor Paredes
- Number 3, Dani Vivian
- Number 2, Andoni Gorosabel
- Number 6, Mikel Vesga
- Number 18, Mikel Jauregizar
- Number 23, Robert Navarro
- Number 8, Oihan Sancet
- Number 7, Alex Berenguer
- Number 9, I. Williams , Captain
Substitutes
- Number 12, Jesús Areso
- Number 17, Yuri
- Number 11, Gorka Guruzeta
- Number 20, Unai Gómez
- Number 15, Íñigo Lekue
- Number 27, Á. Padilla
- Number 30, Alejandro Rego
- Number 16, Íñigo Ruíz de Galarreta
- Number 21, M. Sannadi
- Number 26, Mikel Santos
- Number 22, Nico Serrano
- Number 34, Jon de Luis
away team, Arsenal
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Pitch Formation
- 1, Raya, Goalkeeper
- 12, Timber, Defender3, Mosquera, Defender6, Gabriel Magalhães, Defender33, Calafiori, Defender
- 23, Merino, Midfielder36, Zubimendi, Midfielder41, Rice, Midfielder
- 20, Madueke, Striker14, Gyökeres, Striker10, Eze, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, David Raya
- Number 33, R. Calafiori
- Number 6, Gabriel Magalhães , Captain
- Number 3, Cristhian Mosquera
- Number 12, J. Timber
- Number 41, D. Rice , Yellow Card at 7 minutes
- Number 36, Martín Zubimendi
- Number 23, Mikel Merino
- Number 10, E. Eze
- Number 14, V. Gyökeres
- Number 20, N. Madueke
Substitutes
- Number 13, Kepa Arrizabalaga
- Number 56, M. Dowman
- Number 5, P. Hincapié
- Number 49, M. Lewis-Skelly
- Number 11, Gabriel Martinelli
- Number 22, E. Nwaneri
- Number 2, W. Saliba
- Number 35, T. Setford
- Number 16, C. Nørgaard
- Number 19, L. Trossard
Match Officials
- Referee:
- Donatas Rumsas
- Video Assistant Referee:
- Pol van Boekel
- Assistant Referee 1:
- Aleksandr Radius
- Assistant Referee 2:
- Dovydas Suziedelis
- Fourth Official:
- Robertas Valikonis
- Assistant VAR Official:
- Tomasz Kwiatkowski
Match Stats
Key, Athletic v ArsenalOverall possession
xG
Athletic Club 0.2785Arsenal 0.3119Shots
Athletic Club 7Arsenal 4Shots on target
Athletic Club 0Arsenal 1Total touches inside the opposition box
Athletic Club 13Arsenal 11Goalkeeper saves
Athletic Club 1Arsenal 0Fouls committed
Athletic Club 8Arsenal 9Corners
Athletic Club 2Arsenal 1In-depth match stats
Attack
Shots
Athletic Club 7Arsenal 4Shots on target
Athletic Club 0Arsenal 1Shots off target
Athletic Club 4Arsenal 2Attempts out of box
Athletic Club 4Arsenal 1Total offsides
Athletic Club 0Arsenal 2Expected
xG
Athletic Club 0.2785Arsenal 0.3119xG from open play
Athletic Club 0.1856Arsenal 0.2731xG from set play
Athletic Club 0.093Arsenal 0.0389xA
Athletic Club 0.255303Arsenal 0.299705Distribution
Total passes
Athletic Club 137Arsenal 261Pass accuracy %
Athletic Club 74.5Arsenal 87Backward passes
Athletic Club 23Arsenal 43Forward passes
Athletic Club 54Arsenal 70Total long balls
Athletic Club 28Arsenal 23Successful final third passes
Athletic Club 29Arsenal 38Total crosses
Athletic Club 5Arsenal 8Defence
Total tackles
Athletic Club 6Arsenal 10Won tackle %
Athletic Club 83.3Arsenal 80Fouls committed
Athletic Club 8Arsenal 9Total yellow cards
Athletic Club 0Arsenal 1Total clearances
Athletic Club 9Arsenal 12
Coming up
Champions League build-up. BBC Radio 5 Live.
Listen here at 19:45
Tottenham v Villarreal. BBC Radio 5 Live.
Listen here at 20:00
Season so far
UEFA Champions League
Key, Athletic v Arsenal
League position, Athletic Club 3rd, Arsenal 2ndTotal points, Athletic Club 1, Arsenal 1
Form guide
All competitions
Athletic Club lose
v Alavés
0
1
Primera División
Arsenal won
v Nottingham Forest
3
0
Premier League
Athletic Club lose
v Osasuna
0
1
Club Friendlies
Arsenal lose
v Liverpool
1
0
Premier League
Athletic Club won
v Real Betis
1
2
Primera División
Arsenal won
v Leeds United
5
0
Premier League
Athletic Club won
v Rayo Vallecano
1
0
Primera División
Arsenal won
v Manchester United
0
1
Premier League
Athletic Club won
v Sevilla
3
2
Primera División
Arsenal won
v Athletic Club
3
0
Emirates Cup
Previous meetings
All competitions
Athletic Club and ArsenalAthletic Club Won 0Arsenal Won 1Draw 0
Played 1
Previous scores
All competitions
Emirates Cup
Arsenal 3 , Athletic Club 0 on the 9th of August 2025
Arsenal
Athletic Club
9th of August 2025
- Skip back to previous scores
- Skip back to previous meetings
- Skip back to form guide
- Skip back to season so far
Match Facts
This will be the first competitive meeting between Athletic Club and Arsenal, and just the third time the Lions have faced an English opponent in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League (eliminated by Manchester United in 1956-57 quarter-final and Liverpool in 1983-84 last 16).
If Arsenal win this game, they will become the first side in European Cup/UEFA Champions League history to win six consecutive matches against Spanish sides. Indeed, they have won all five of their matches against Spanish opposition across the last two campaigns (two v Real Madrid, two v Sevilla and one v Girona).
Athletic Club have only lost two of their previous 10 home games against English sides in major European competition (W5 D3), although one of those did come in the most recent one, losing 3-0 against Manchester United in last season’s UEFA Europa League (semi-final first leg).
This will be Athletic Club’s first outing in the UEFA Champions League since the 2014-15 season, which was also under Ernesto Valverde, in the second of his three spells as club manager. Athletic have won six of their seven European matches played at San Mamés since Valverde returned in 2022 (L1).
Across the last two editions of the UEFA Champions League, only Real Madrid (33) have accumulated more points in the group/league phase than Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal (32 – P14 W10 D2 L2).
Arsenal only lost three of their 14 games in the UEFA Champions League last season (W9 D2), with all three defeats coming against 2024-25 finalists Paris SG (L2) and Internazionale (L1).
Athletic Club boss Ernesto Valverde has only lost nine of his 42 games as a manager in the UEFA Champions League (W23 D10). Among Spanish managers with 10+ matches in the competition, only Pep Guardiola has a lower loss rate (17.1%) than Valverde (21.4%).
Arsenal have conceded just 18 goals in 24 UEFA Champions League matches under Mikel Arteta. Among teams with 20+ games under a manager, only four sides in the competition have a better goals conceded per game average (0.75): Fabio Capello’s Milan (0.38), Louis van Gaal’s Ajax (0.63), Frank Rijkaard’s Barcelona (0.68) and Ernesto Valverde’s Barcelona (0.71).
Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres was directly involved in seven goals in eight appearances in the UEFA Champions League last season (six goals, one assist for Sporting CP), averaging a goal or assist every 87 minutes played. Only one Arsenal player had a minutes per goal involvement ratio under 100 (Bukayo Saka, 95).
No non-Spanish player has ever appeared for Athletic Club in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, while two could do so in this game: Ghanaian Iñaki Williams and Moroccan Maroan Sannadi.