Arsenal opened their 2025–26 UEFA Champions League campaign with a decisive 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés on Tuesday night, thanks to game-changing performances from substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal Breaks Bilbao’s Resistance
For much of the match, Mikel Arteta’s men dominated possession and probed Bilbao’s disciplined defense without reward. Summer signing Viktor Gyökeres missed a close-range header, while Noni Madueke’s bursts down the right flank created danger but no breakthrough.
The turning point came in the 71st minute when Martinelli, introduced moments earlier, latched onto a clever flick from Trossard and slotted calmly under goalkeeper Unai Simón. Just before the final whistle, Martinelli turned provider, cutting back from the byline for Trossard to secure the win — with a helpful deflection wrong-footing Simón.
Depth and Resilience on Display
The result underlines Arsenal’s growing depth and ability to adapt mid-game — key traits for success in Europe’s top competition. Arteta praised his bench’s impact, saying the victory “shows the importance of every player in this squad.”
Bilbao, while frustrated by the late collapse, impressed with their pressing and organization. They will look to regroup before facing Borussia Dortmund, while Arsenal will aim to keep momentum alive when they host Olympiakos in their next Group Stage clash.
The Gunners leave Spain not only with three points but with a reminder to Europe: this is a team that can strike decisively when it matters most
