Arteta Fired Up as Arsenal Begin Champions League Quest

Arteta Fired Up as Arsenal Begin Champions League Quest

By Bashir Adigun

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his side is ready to “start again from scratch” as they open their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign against Athletic Club at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao on Tuesday night.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference shortly after landing in Spain, the Spaniard, who hails from nearby San Sebastián, said he was excited to lead the Gunners into another European season.
“We’re excited to start again in a beautiful place, in a stadium that is going to generate something special,” Arteta said. “I’m very excited to step by step build some momentum, and start to have some wins.”
Arteta confirmed that Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Ben White, and captain Martin Ødegaard are all unavailable, while Bukayo Saka is still recovering from an injury.
“It’s very early to understand when and which week he’s going to be available,” he said of Saka. “But he will certainly be pushing to be available as quickly as possible.”
Despite the setbacks, Arteta expressed confidence in the squad’s depth, pointing to the versatility of players like Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino, who could deputise in attack if needed.
The Gunners came agonisingly close to reaching their first Champions League final in 17 years last season, losing in the semi-finals. Arteta admitted that the pain of that exit is driving the squad forward.
“It’s painful because of the expectation we created and the conviction that we could go all the way,” he said. “But we learned that we are good enough to compete against any opposition. Now we must be better, especially when the margins are so small.”
Arsenal, who have never lifted the Champions League trophy in their history, strengthened their squad over the summer, but Arteta warned that European success requires more than ambition.
“The big clubs try seven, eight, nine times and they win two,” he noted. “In this competition, you’ll fail much more than you succeed. But that’s what we want to change.”
The fixture also carries personal significance for Arteta, a former Real Sociedad midfielder.
“We landed in Bilbao, where I normally land when I go back home to San Sebastián. All my family is from there,” he said. “You just sense the passion, the rivalry, the football atmosphere. I’ve never been in this stadium before, so it’s a good experience.”
Asked if his family would attend the game, he smiled: “All of them, no, but a big majority will come.”
Arsenal are aiming to become only the second London club to win the Champions League after Chelsea. Arteta insists the pressure is a privilege.

“The pressure is the opportunity—that energy, that willingness to be better every single day,” he said. “Every decision has to be with those standards and expectations. Let’s give ourselves the best chance to try to do it.”

The Gunners’ clash against Athletic Club kicks off what promises to be another grueling European campaign, with fans hoping that the lessons of last season can inspire the club to finally break its Champions League duck.