**Arsenal:** Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Merino, Madueke, Eze, Gyokeres
**Subs:** Kepa, Setford, Lewis-Skelly, Saliba, Hincapie, Norgaard, Dowman, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Trossard
Arsenal started their 2025/26 Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Athletic Club at San Mames on Tuesday, thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Mikel Arteta made just one change to the side that beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday, with Declan Rice replacing Martin Odegaard who didn’t travel after re-injuring his shoulder.
**FIRST HALF**
It was a measured start to the game with Arsenal dominating possession and Athletic sitting deep, although their fans were clearly up for the occasion and when second balls broke their way – the hosts wasted little time getting forward.
Just before the tenth minute, Declan Rice was booked for trying to block a shot from the edge of the box although the resulting free kick amounted to nothing, with Athletic growing into things and keeping Arsenal pinned into their own half.
Having struggled to build anything of note, Arteta’s men suddenly created the best chance of the game when Jurrien Timber did well to dispossess Iñaki Williams by the corner flag, allowing Noni Madueke to pounce and look for Eberechi Eze in the middle – only for what looked like an easy tap-in to be intercepted at the last second.
It looked like Eze was on his heels slightly but replays showed it was excellent defending from Andoni Gorosabel who anticipated the danger and got across the summer signing.
That chance seemed to spark Arsenal and Viktor Gyokeres into life, with the striker having two quick sights of goal and one header in particular flew just wide on the stretch after Timber put in an excellent cross.
Things were getting increasingly spicy with challenges flying in from both teams and Gyokeres needed treatment on the pitch (plus a few stitches) are clashing heads with Gabriel, before Timber lost a boot by the corner flag after another strong duel with Aitor Paredes.
With Timber boot-less and off the pitch, Athletic came close when Alex Berenguer ran off Martin Zubimendi but his scuffed effort rolled across goal and away to safety with David Raya scrambling.
**SECOND HALF**
The second half continued at a similar pace with lots of fouls and free kicks breaking up the game, but Madueke was becoming more influential and causing issues after getting to the byline on two or three separate occasions; although his final ball was lacking.
Athletic continued to fight and scrap which made life difficult for the Gunners and their passing game never felt smooth, with passes going astray and the distances not feeling quite right.
With 25 minutes remaining, Arteta made his first change with Leandro Trossard coming on to replace Gyokeres who was battered and bruised, although another change would have been welcome in midfield with the side lacking some fluency.
Well, talking of changes, enter Gabriel Martinelli who replaced Eze five minutes later and ended up putting Arsenal ahead after just 36 seconds on the pitch having combined well with another substitute in Trossard.
It was a typical Martinelli goal, running into space after an intelligent flick-on from the Belgian before guiding a beautiful touch past the defender and shooting past Unai Simon at full pelt. [1-0](https://streamff.link/v/090e9a63).
Naturally, that opened up the game with Athletic searching for an equaliser but they lacked their earlier intensity, which meant the visitors were more comfortable defending and ended up wrapping up all three points with a late second.
Martinelli played a central role again after breezing past his man before finding Trossard in the middle, whose composure in a crowded penalty area was brilliant as his shot deflected in off Dani Vivian. [2-0](https://streamin.me/v/yqmiwsy4).
First game in the group phase, three points in a difficult stadium and substitutes making an impact – things couldn’t have gone much better for Arteta and his team in Bilbao. All eyes now move to Manchester City.