Arsenal must be considered as one of the favourites to win the Champions League this season, Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde has claimed.

Mikel Arteta's side will face Athletic at the San Mames Stadium in their opening match of the competition on Tuesday.

Arsenal fell at the semifinal stage to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain last term, but speaking on the eve of their fixture against the north Londoners, Valverde said: "Arsenal are totally focused on this match.

"They are one of the favourites to win the Champions League thanks to their technical and tactical ability, and the winning spirit that Arteta has instilled in them.

"It's the start of the Champions League and we're playing against a high-level opponent, the kind that Bilbao likes, but we have to be very carefu

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