Predicted Arsenal line-up (4-3-3) vs Athletic Club, Martinelli starts

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September 16, 2025 10:05 GMT (UK), by Sri Aswin

Arsenal will start their Champions League campaign against Athletic Club on the road this evening.

Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta is likely to contemplate changes in order to keep his squad fresh.

Formation: 4-3-3

Predicted Line-up:

David Raya is guaranteed to start between the sticks. He will be eyeing his fourth clean sheet of the campaign.

Two changes are expected in the defence. Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori could make way for William Saliba and Myles Lewis-Skelly respectively.

Jurrien Timber and Lewis-Skelly will start in the right and left-back roles while Saliba looks set to partner Gabriel in the heart of the Gunners backline.

Declan Rice was only a substitute against Nottingham Forest. He should be reinstated into the XI with Mikel Merino dropping to the bench.

The Englishman will partner Martin Zubimendi in the centre of the park, while Eberechi Eze could feature as the attacking midfielder.

We anticipate Gabriel Martinelli to return on the left wing. His pace could be key to outsmarting Athletic’s defence on the counter-attack.

Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres are expected to keep their places. Madueke will feature on the right wing with Gyokeres upfront.

Predicted Arsenal line-up (4-3-3) vs Athletic Club: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli.