Arsenal opened their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 2–0 victory over Athletic Club in Bilbao on Tuesday night, with substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard scoring the decisive goals.
The match, played at the San Mamés Stadium, was Athletic Club’s first Champions League fixture since the 2014–15 season, and the home side came out with intensity, roared on by a packed Basque crowd. Arsenal endured a difficult opening, with Alejandro Berenguer posing threats to their backline, while Viktor Gyökeres missed a close-range diving header in the first half.
The turning point came after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta introduced Martinelli and Trossard in the second half. Just 36 seconds after coming on, Martinelli struck from a Trossard pass in the 71st minute. The Brazilian later created Arsenal’s second, beating his marker and setting up Trossard, who scored in the 86th minute.
The win also marked a personal lift for Martinelli, who has been struggling for form and had recently lost his starting place to new signing Eberechi Eze. His performance, capped with a goal and an assist, may revive his confidence.
Arteta’s summer spending of around £250 million ensured depth in his squad, as five new signings started the game and quality options were available on the bench. Though it was far from their best display, Arsenal left Bilbao with three points and a clean sheet, an ideal start to their group stage journey.
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