Arsenal hit by major injury blow ahead of Champions League opener vs Athletic Bilbao

Arsenal will be without captain Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus for Tuesday's opening Champions League match against Athletic Bilbao, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Monday.

Odegaard was forced off with a shoulder problem during Saturday's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest after suffering a separate shoulder injury a week earlier against Leeds. Saka has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring issue in the August 23 match against Leeds. Arteta said it was "very early" to pin down a return date for Saka but added the winger would be "pushing to be available as quick as possible." The club also confirmed Ben White, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus will not feature in the trip to San Mamés.

Arteta acknowledged the absences represent a significant short-term setback but emphasised the depth added by Arsenal's summer recruitment. The manager pointed to roughly £250 million of incoming transfers and the eight new signings designed to provide options across the squad as the club targets an improved Champions League campaign after last season's semi-final exit.

"We learned last season that we are good enough, that we can compete against any opposition on the day," Arteta said. "Two things have to go your way. You need to have a full squad available when it comes to the most critical moments in the season. And then as well, the ball has to go in at the right moment or with the right decision because the margins are so small."

Arsenal strengthened their squad this summer with signings including Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi, moves Arteta cited as evidence the club can cope with injury setbacks. Last season's run to the Champions League semi-finals was hampered by a spate of injuries, including a torn hamstring to Kai Havertz that forced Arteta to use midfielder Mikel Merino in an emergency striker role at times.

The manager reflected on Arsenal's history in Europe's elite competition, noting the club has yet to lift the Champions League trophy and underlining the difficulty of succeeding in the tournament. "They try seven, eight, nine times and they win two," he said, referring to the sporadic nature of success in the competition and the fine margins between victory and defeat.

Arsenal's medical updates will be monitored closely ahead of Tuesday's fixture as the club balances domestic and European commitments. Arteta must now determine a matchday squad and starting XI for San Mamés without several of his regular starters but insisted the squad's new additions create options for selection. The outcome of the opener will set the tone for Arsenal's Group stage campaign as they seek to improve on last season's performance in the competition.