More on the treatment table than on the pitch – Arsenal’s troubled UCL start
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 16.09.25. | 12:13
Despite numerous injuries in the squad, Arsenal kick off their Champions League campaign against Athletic Bilbao by any means necessary
Arsenal head into Tuesday’s Champions League opener against Athletic Bilbao missing several key figures. Captain Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are all ruled out, leaving Mikel Arteta with a reshuffled side for the trip.
Odegaard aggravated a shoulder issue during the weekend’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, having already suffered a similar problem against Leeds the week before. Saka, meanwhile, has been absent since August 23 with a hamstring injury.
Arsenal will kick off their European adventure carrying injuries, with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Ben White left at home along with the more established recoveries in Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus who both underwent surgery.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) September 15, 2025
Captain Odegaard, who in the first half of… pic.twitter.com/wKAc7X6PsU
Speaking about his winger’s recovery, Arteta noted: “It's very early to understand when, which week he's going to be available, but he will certainly be pushing to be available as quick as possible.”
Despite the list of absentees, Arteta insists that Arsenal’s heavy summer investment – close to 250 milion pounds on new talent – has provided the depth needed to overcome such hurdles. Last season’s campaign ended in frustration as PSG knocked the Gunners out in the semi-finals, with injuries playing a major role in their downfall.
Havertz’s torn hamstring forced Arteta to improvise, at one stage using Mikel Merino as a striker. This year, however, reinforcements have arrived. Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi are among the eight additions strengthening the squad.
Reflecting on lessons from last year, Arteta explained: “(We learned last season) that we are good enough, that we can compete against any opposition on the day. And on top of that, two things have to go your way. You need to have a full squad available when it comes to the most critical moments in the season. And then as well, the ball has to go in, in the right moment or with the right decision because the margins are so small.”
"You take a lot of learnings from it, it's painful" 💬
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 15, 2025
Mikel Arteta reflects on Arsenal's semi-final exit in the Champions League last season pic.twitter.com/0wnICOigO5
And with Arsenal still searching for their first Champions League trophy – unlike English rivals Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool – Arteta framed the challenge as motivation: “That tells you with our long history how difficult it is because we haven't won it yet and that's the opportunity. That's how I see it.”
UEFA - Champions League MATCHDAY 1
Tuesday
19.45: (4.80) Ath.Bilbao (3.70) Arsenal (1.80)
19.45: (2.03) PSV (3.60) St.Gilloise (3.90)
22.00: (1.22) Benfica (6.50) Qarabag (13.0)
22.00: (2.05) Juventus (3.50) Dortmund (3.90)
22.00: (1.40) Real Madrid (5.40) Olympique Marseille (7.50)
22.00: (1.90) Tottenham (3.85) Villareal (4.10)
Wednesday
19.45: (1.45) Olympiakos (4.40) Paphos (7.50)
19.45: (1.85) Slavia Praha (3.60) Bodo (4.30)
22.00: (4.10) Ajax (3.50) Inter (1.90)
22.00: (1.67) Bayern (4.25) Chelsea (4.85)
22.00: (1.62) Liverpool (3.90) Atl.Madrid (5.60)
22.00: (1.50) PSG (4.50) Atalanta (7.25)
Thursday
19.45: (2.80) Club Brugge (3.40) Monaco (2.50)
19.45: (3.20) Copenhagen (3.40) Leverkusen (2.25)
22.00: (2.10) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.50) Galatasaray (3.40)
22.00: (1.70) Man.City (3.60) Napoli (5.30)
22.00: (3.15) Newcastle (3.50) Barcelona (2.20)
22.00: (1.08) Sporting (12.0) Kairat Almaty (25.0)
***odds are subject to change***
