Athletic Bilbao v Arsenal Match Result
There’s an intriguing match-up on Match Day One of the Champions League, when San Mames hosts a clash between Athletic Bilbao and Arsenal. The European football betting sites give the Gunners a roughly 50% chance of landing a victory in Spain, with the London side boasting a strong squad and they were able to chase home Liverpool in the Premier League last term.
Mikel Arteta has recruited players such as Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze to bolster the squad and they might all be involved in this clash. Arsenal are likely to be well backed to land a victory, with the team having had a relatively comfortable Premier League fixture at home to Nottingham Forest before taking on their Spanish opponents.
Arsenal began the season with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford before a thrashing of Leeds United. The London outfit then headed to Anfield where they shut up shop before conceding a wonder free-kick and it does generally take something special to score against them. Despite the absence of William Saliba, there’s a robust feel about the defensive side of things.
Declan Rice, Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard can stem the tide before the ball even reaches the back four, although they will have to work hard for a victory. Athletic Bilbao have actually started the season really strongly, landing a maximum haul from the three games played thus far this term.
The season began with a 3-2 victory over Sevilla before a 1-0 success against Rayo Vallecano. Then came a 2-1 success away to Real Betis. Therefore, it could be worth siding with them on the Asian Handicap for this game, with the team having a relatively easy home clash against Alaves before playing this Champions League game.
Goals Under/Over
No team wants to lose their opening Champions League group game. It’s nice to get at least a point on the board and the Under 2.5 Goals could well happen at San Mames. Arsenal kept two consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League and it was nearly three before Dominic Szoboszlai managed to score a wonder free-kick to settle a big showdown a fortnight ago.
Cristhian Mosquera has come into central defence in place of the injured William Saliba although we still think that the Gunners tight rearguard is a reason why the Unders comes into play. Arsenal know that taking a one-goal lead is often enough, with the team packed with experienced players who are able to manage the games.
Athletic Bilbao have had two Over 2.5 Goals games out of their three encounters. They have an attack-minded coach and perhaps that could lead to an open game. However, they haven’t faced opponents with the calibre of Arsenal.
BTTS
Although Under 2.5 Goals is trading at the slightly shortest odds, BTTS Yes is the favourite in this market. The bookies think that a 1-1 draw is a definite runner and it’s an outcome that would suit both teams as an opening game in the Champions League. However, Arsenal have not looked convincing on the road in front of goal thus far.
Granted they have had difficult opponents in the form of Manchester United and Liverpool. However, the sum total of their efforts in front of goal has been one. Riccardo Calafiori’s headed effort at Old Trafford was then followed by a flurry of Manchester United attacks, while the Gunners didn’t offer a lot of attacking threat at Anfield.
We’re likely to see Eberechi Eze make his Champions League bow in this game and perhaps the former QPR and Crystal Palace winger can make an instant impact. Viktor Gyokeres has also been successful for Sporting in this competition and the Swede might be able to open his European account nice and early.
Athletic Bilbao are averaging two goals per game right now, with Nico Williams on penalty duties although the goals have been shared around the team. Moroccan Maroan Sannadi could be capable of troubling that tight defensive rearguard.
First Goalscorer
Viktor Gyokeres might be the centre forward that forms the missing piece of the jigsaw for Arsenal. The Swede bagged a brace against Leeds United and will now look to light up the European stage. He is likely to be flanked by Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, while it will be interesting to see if Declan Rice gets the license to get into an attacking space in order to find the net.
Mikel Merino was able to score an unlikely hat-trick for Spain during the international break and the midfielder could be motivated to pile further forward. We can’t rule out the prospect of an Arsenal defender finding the net. Jurrien Timber and Calafiori have already scored this term and it’s surely a matter of time before Gabriel is on the scoresheet.
Maroan Sannadi could be the best chance of finding the net, although we can’t discount the prospect of Nico Williams following up some fine performances for Spain by scoring a goal here. There are lots of lively options and we recommend waiting for team news before going ahead with a wager.