The first day of Champions League action this season is packed with adrenaline throughout Europe.
Athletic Bilbao vs. Arsenal is one of the battles you can't miss, as entertainment is guaranteed. Arsenal should be able to start with a win, but don't rule out Bilbao's ability to trouble high-class opponents.
I see Arsenal winning an action-packed encounter in the Basque Country. Here are my Athletic Bilbao vs. Arsenal predictions and free betting picks for Tuesday, September 16.
Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal picks and predictions
My Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal best bet: Arsenal moneyline (-115 at Sports Interaction)
When these two met in a friendly match just over a month ago, Arsenal won 3-0 at their Emirates ground in North London. Of course, it wasn't an official match, but it showed a lot about the means Arsenal have to make a statement in front of Athletic Club.
Note that Bilbao also had star attacker Nico Williams leading the line in August. It's not the case anymore, as the talented forward is out with an injury. Much of Athletic's fantasy up front goes down as a consequence.
Apart from their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on August 31, Arsenal has recorded convincing wins since the start of the campaign. They beat Manchester United away 1-0 on the opening day of the season, then went on to put five past Leeds United and three over Nottingham Forest without any answer on the scoresheet from either of them.
On the other hand, Bilbao won their first three matches against the likes of Sevilla (3-2), Rayo Vallecano (1-0), and Real Betis (2-1), but shockingly fell at home to minnows Alaves at the weekend (0-1). This result throws a shadow on the solid start of the campaign for Ernesto Valverde's men.
Arsenal have plenty of options to pick from when they choose their starting XI. Despite missing Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Kai Havertz, they won convincingly against Forest, so Mikel Arteta should be able to avoid headaches when he decides the team for Tuesday evening. I expect an Arsenal win, as I see little Bilbao can do against such a strong attacking crew.
Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal same-game parlay (SGP)
Arsenal moneyline
Over 2.5
Viktor Gyokeres 2+ shots on target
Over 9.5 corners
Arsenal look ruthless in front of inferior opposition, and I believe they should get on the scoresheet more than once in Bilbao. There are high chances for a match involving many goals, as Bilbao will not hold back, as it's not in their identity to just limit the opposition.
I will include Viktor Gyokeres in my parlay, too. The Swedish sensation scored three goals in four games for Arsenal so far, also hitting the woodwork once. He touched the ball 19 times in the opposition box, so his attacking involvement is permanent.
Corners are a key component in Arsenal's games. They are the set-piece masters in the Premier League, and they'll look to profit from the static moments in their European games as well. Arsenal (77) were the fifth-highest corner takers in the Champions League last season.
Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal odds
| Athletic Bilbao | Arsenal | |
|---|---|---|
| +310 | Moneyline | -115 |
| +240 | Draw | +240 |
| Over 2.5 (-102) | Total | Under 2.5 (-135) |
Odds courtesy of Sports Interaction.
How to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal
| Location | San Mamés, Bilbao, Spain |
| Date | Tuesday, September 16, 2025 |
| Time | 12:45 p.m. ET |
| TV | Paramount+ |
| Weather | 73F, 6 mph winds, 20% PoP. |
Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal key injuries
Athletic Bilbao: Nico Williams FW (Out).
Arsenal: William Saliba CB (Questionable), Martin Odegaard CM (Questionable), Bukayo Saka RW (Out), Kai Havertz FW (Out), Gabriel Jesus ST (Out).
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
