Arsenal Extend Spanish Dominance with Late Goals Against Athletic Bilbao

Key Takeaways:

• Arsenal secured a 2-0 away win over Athletic Bilbao to open their Champions League campaign
• Substitutes Gabriel Martinelli (72′) and Leandro Trossard (87′) delivered the decisive goals last night
• The Gunners achieved a fourth consecutive away victory in Spain in the Champions League under Mikel Arteta

Champions League Opener: Tactical Adjustments and Starting Elevens

Arsenal began their Champions League group stage with a professional 2-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao. This encounter marked one of two fixtures inaugurating the tournament’s main phase, and Mikel Arteta’s team continued their formidable record on Spanish soil, making it four away wins in a row in the competition under their manager’s guidance.

Ernesto Valverde introduced four alterations to Bilbao’s starting eleven following their domestic defeat to Alaves (0-1). Andoni Gorosabel and Adama Boiro replaced Jesus Areso and Yuri Berchiche as full-backs. In midfield, Mikel Vesga was introduced instead of Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, while Alex Berenguer started up front in place of Gorka Guruzeta, enabling Robert Navarro to begin on the left wing. Captain Iñaki Williams operated from the right, with his sibling Nico Williams unavailable due to injury.

A BIG three points to kick off our Champions League campaign 😤 pic.twitter.com/TjOpfxM8mn

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 16, 2025

Arsenal, meanwhile, underwent only a single change after their commanding 3-0 league win against Nottingham Forest. Declan Rice stepped in for injured skipper Martin Ødegaard, inheriting the captain’s armband from Gabriel Magalhães. The attacking trio remained unchanged, featuring Noni Madueke on the right flank, Eberechi Eze on the left, and Viktor Gyökeres leading the line.

First-Half Analysis: Missed Opportunities and Tight Defences

The early stages witnessed the home side exhibiting more attacking intent, though without material threat. Arsenal registered the game’s first shot on target in the 24th minute, yet Viktor Gyökeres’ attempt did not trouble Unai Simón. Shortly thereafter, Gyökeres also directed a header beyond the target. Following a free-kick delivery in the 30th minute, the Swedish striker went for another header but collided with teammate Gabriel, requiring attention from the medical staff.

Bilbao’s best chance of the first half arrived just before the break, as Berenguer’s low, diagonal effort drifted narrowly wide. In first-half stoppage time, Navarro’s shot resulted in a corner, after which Oihan Sancet headed off target, leaving the teams level at the interval.

Second-Half Developments and Decisive Substitutes

The pattern continued after the restart, with Gyökeres heading over from a set piece. In the 52nd minute, Noni Madueke’s angled shot was parried away by Simón, who was soon called into action again to stop a low drive from the England international. Inaki Williams responded for the hosts, but saw his attempt held by Arsenal’s David Raya. At the opposite end, Mikel Merino tested Simón with a header in the 66th minute.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 72nd minute, when substitute Leandro Trossard played a clever through ball for Gabriel Martinelli, on the pitch for under a minute. The Brazilian advanced and calmly finished beneath Simón to give Arsenal a crucial advantage. Martinelli, in turn, provided the assist for Trossard in the 87th minute, surging into the area and laying off for the Belgian to convert, sealing the result. Bilbao voiced protests for an alleged foul by Subimendi on Guruzeta in the build-up to the second goal, but the referee allowed play to continue and the goal stood.

Key Statistics and Line-ups

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Fixtures

The Champions League continues on 1 October, with Arsenal set to welcome Olympiacos to North London, while Athletic Bilbao are scheduled to travel to Borussia Dortmund for their next group match.