Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal preview: Betting tips, odds and predictions

ARSENAL kick-start their Champions League campaign with a clash against Spanish side Athletic Bilbao at the Estadio San Mames on Tuesday.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.

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Mikel Arteta returns to the Basque Country as Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday.

And the Spanish tactician will expect his side to kick things off in style, following an impressive start to their Premier League season.

The Gunners have won three of their opening four matches, scoring nine goals, keeping three clean sheets, and seeing their new signings settle in nicely.

They arrive in Spain fresh from a comprehensive 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates - a result made even more impressive given they were without Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Kai Havertz, before Martin Odegaard was forced off with another shoulder injury.

It was a complete performance from Arteta’s men, and it helped to banish any lingering frustration from their narrow defeat to Liverpool before the international break.

Now, they’ll be looking to carry that momentum into Bilbao, especially given their strong recent record against Spanish opposition.

Arsenal have won all five of their meetings with Spanish clubs over the past two seasons - including two victories over Real Madrid.

As for Athletic Bilbao, this marks their first appearance in the Champions League since the 2014-15 season also under Ernesto Valverde.

The Basque outfit have a solid record at San Mames in European competition, losing just two of their last 10 home games against English clubs - although one of those defeats came most recently, when they were beaten 3-0 by Manchester United in last season’s Europa League.

Bilbao started their domestic campaign brightly with three straight wins, but they saw their perfect run come to an end last weekend, suffering a 1-0 home defeat to Alaves.

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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Arsenal breezed through the Champions League group stage last season, finishing third overall in the standings with 19 points from eight matches - winning six and conceding just three goals.

And it could be a similar story this time around. As mentioned, the Gunners have conceded just once in their opening four games of the Premier League season - and even that came from a set-piece at Anfield.

Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have let in only 18 goals in 24 Champions League games, a record that bodes well ahead of a clash with a Bilbao side who failed to score at home in their last outing against Alaves.

Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal

New recruit Noni Madueke looks a solid shout to provide an assist at 11/2 with William Hill.

The lively winger has played just 261 minutes since arriving, yet in that short time, he's already created eight chances - double that of any Arsenal player.

Madueke has also had more touches and received the most passes in the opposition’s final third of any teammate, while boasting the highest expected assists (xA) in the squad.

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