"Arsenal and Athletic Bilbao prepare for a historic meeting on Tuesday night, as the two sides face off in competitive action for the very first time at San Mames in their opening Champions League league phase fixture of the 2025/26 campaign. The Gunners have continued to rise in stature on the European stage since their return to the continent's premier competition, while Athletic enter only their third-ever season in the Champions League, eager to make their mark against one of the tournament's modern heavyweights."
"Arsenal enter Tuesday's clash on the back of last season's impressive Champions League run, where they reached the semifinals for only the third time in their history. Their opponents, Athletic Bilbao, are embarking on just their third venture into the competition since its rebranding in 1992, having returned to Europe's top stage after a superb domestic campaign. Ernesto Valverde's side finished fourth in La Liga with 70 points, bettered only by Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, and edged Villarreal into fifth on head-to-head."
Arsenal and Athletic Bilbao meet at San Mamés for their first-ever competitive encounter as part of the 2025/26 Champions League group phase. Arsenal arrive off a semifinal run in last season's Champions League and have strengthened their continental reputation. Athletic Bilbao return for only their third Champions League campaign after finishing fourth in La Liga with 70 points under Ernesto Valverde. Athletic began the domestic season with three straight wins but were pegged back by a surprise 1-0 home defeat to Alaves. Athletic seek a stronger competitive showing after a heavy recent European defeat and a preseason loss to Arsenal.
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