Eight players could miss Arsenal vs Athletic Club as Mikel Arteta gives big injury update

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Both Arsenal and Athletic Club will have players on the sidelines when they meet in the Champions League this evening.

The Gunners travel to Bilbao for the first league phase fixture of the competition this season and will be determined to secure all three points.

Mikel Arteta's side go into the game in the back of a convincing 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at the weekend, while Athletic Club suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Alaves.

Arsenal and Bilbao will meet at the San Mames Stadium on Tuesday evening, but both clubs will be forced to deal with some players being unavailable for the fixture.

Arteta confirmed that Martin Odegaard (shoulder), Bukayo Saka (muscle), Ben White (unspecified), Kai Havertz (knee) and Gabriel Jesus (knee) are all unavailable for the clash against Athletic Club in the Champions League.

"Gabi [Jesus], Kai [Havertz], Ben [White] and Martin [Odegaard] are still out, unfortunately," Arteta told reporters on Monday.

Arteta also stated there is no further update on Saka, who has missed the last two matches with a muscle injury.

"No, I think there's still quite a lot of things to go through," said Arteta when asked if there was any update on Saka's injury.

"It’s very early to understand when, which week he's [Saka]going to be available, but he will certainly be pushing to be available as quick as possible."

Bilbao will also have players unavailable for selection for the clash against Arsenal.

Nico Williams has not been named in the squad to face the Gunners after suffering an adductor injury earlier this month.

Benat Prados and Unai Egiluz will both be on the sidelines for Athletic Club with knee injuries, with both players requiring surgery before being able to return to action.