By Tim Parsons-
A tight match in Bilbao ended in victory for Arsenal, as late goals from their substitutes secured a crucial away win in their Champions League opener. The Gunners, starting their 2025/26 European campaign, overcame a determined Athletic Club side in a contest that had few clear-cut chances. The win sets a positive tone for Arsenal’s European ambitions this season.
Gabriel Martinelli scored with pretty much his first touch after coming on. Reuters
Arsenal began their new Champions League campaign with a solid Arsenal Champions League win against a tenacious Athletic Club side. After a tense and scoreless first half, manager Mikel Arteta’s tactical substitutions proved decisive, with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard scoring the two late goals that settled the match. The win provided a positive start to their European journey and demonstrated the squad’s depth.
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The match at the San Mamés stadium was a tight affair from the outset. The passionate home crowd provided a rousing atmosphere for their side’s return to Europe’s top club competition. Both teams struggled to create meaningful opportunities throughout the first hour, with defenses dominating. Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres had a few chances, including a diving header that went just wide, but neither team could find the breakthrough.
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Mikel Arteta turned to his bench in the second half. He first brought on Leandro Trossard, and then minutes later, he introduced Gabriel Martinelli. The two players immediately changed the game’s dynamic. Martinelli’s opening goal came just 36 seconds after he stepped onto the pitch. Trossard provided a clever flick that released Martinelli, who showed composure to sprint 50 yards before calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.
The Brazilian’s goal stunned the home crowd and gave Arsenal the lead. Martinelli then returned the favor in the game’s final minutes. He cut the ball back from the byline to Trossard, who scored with a deflected shot that hit the post before spinning into the net. Their dual impact showcased the value of having “finishers” on the bench, a point Mikel Arteta emphasized after the match. This win marks the first time Arsenal’s substitutes have combined for multiple goals in a single Champions League match. This Arsenal Champions League win sets a strong precedent for the rest of their European campaign. You can watch the highlights of the match on the Arsenal website.
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This victory is the first of eight league-phase matches for Arsenal. The team’s next Champions League fixture will be at home against Olympiacos. You can read more about how Arsenal is approaching the new league-phase format in our article on their Champions League draw.
This video from SuperSport provides a match report and highlights of the game.
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