Arsenal opened their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Athletic Club on Tuesday night in Bilbao.
The Gunners dominated possession in the first half but found it difficult to unlock a disciplined Spanish defence. Despite controlling the tempo, Mikel Arteta’s men lacked the cutting edge to turn their superiority into goals.
It was Arteta’s second-half substitutions that made the difference. In the 72nd minute, Leandro Trossard released Gabriel Martinelli with a perfectly timed pass, and the Brazilian winger kept his composure to chest the ball down before racing through and finishing low past Unai Simón.
Just minutes later, the duo combined again—this time with Martinelli turning provider, cutting back for Trossard to calmly slot home his first goal of the season.
The quick-fire double underlined Arsenal’s squad depth and tactical flexibility, with Arteta’s changes proving decisive after a cagey opening hour.
At full-time, Arsenal players saluted their travelling fans in the away end, celebrating a victory that gives them early momentum in Group Stage action.
