Arsenal became the first side in European Cup/UEFA Champions League history to claim their sixth consecutive victory over Spanish opposition, as replacements Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard brilliantly scored to put aside Athletic Club in Bilbao.
Mikel Arteta made just the one change to his side after their 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, with Declan Rice coming into the midfield.
As expected, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Ben White and Kai Havertz remained sidelined. On the bench, William Saliba returned to the squad after recovering from an ankle injury and was selected alongside 15-year-old Max Dowman.
For the Spanish side, they were without star man Nico Williams, who sustained a thigh injury in Spain's World Cup qualifying thumping 6-0 victory over Turkey. Following the weekend's defeat against Alaves, Ernesto Valverde made four changes to his starting XI.
Valverde's side, who finished fourth in last season's La Liga, sit on nine points from their opening four league games. After meeting in the summer for the Emirates Cup, the match was the first competitive meeting between the pair.
For the hosts, it was their first outing in the Champions League since the 2014-2015 season, with the club managed by Valverde at that time as well.
Story of the match
Despite the visitors dominating the early stage of the encounter, it was the Lions who found themselves with an opportunity.
This came from a timely chip over the top from Mikel Jauregizer behind Arsenal’s defence, with Alex Berenguer claiming. Then moments later, Jauregizer regathered after a block from Gabriel, who took aim just outside of the penalty area.
His shot was blocked, but he was caught late by returning Rice, and a free kick was awarded, with the 26-year-old finding himself booked for his challenge.
Jurrien Timber brilliantly blocked Adama Boiro's strike, and Arsenal survived an early scare and moved quickly upfield. However, the semi-finalists from last year's Champions League faced an early test, but solid defending, whilst being up against it after an intense opening 20 minutes.
Noticeably, the visitors were struggling to find a breakthrough, with standouts from the Forest game on the weekend, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, unable to make an impression.
With that said, minutes later, it was more positive for Arsenal, especially Eze. He ran beautifully past his man and linked well with Martin Zubimendi. Then, after some great defending, Timber kept the attack alive, but it was quickly ended by Andoni Gorosabel superbly with a clearance.
Before the half-hour mark, Arsenal seemed to have found some momentum in the contest, with Timber crossing from the right. Gyokeres' header just went wide of the uprights. Rice sent a cross into the penalty area from a corner, with Gabriel getting his head to it, but the visitors' attempt goes over.
Before the interval, Berenguer worked his way past Zubimendi and sent a dangerous delivery into the six-yard box. Robert Navarro was unable to capitalise on a great cross as his timing was just off to score a tap-in.
With a strong travelling support of almost 2,500 Arsenal fans who made the trip to the Basque Country, the visitors dominated the possession stat with 66% during the opening 45 minutes. After Eze was fouled shortly into the second half, Rice's free kick was met by Gyokeres at the back post, but it was headed wide once again.
Continuing the theme of pressurising the hosts, Madueke went down the right, showing great pace to get into the box, but it proved easy for Unai Simon to gather in close range. Minutes later, it was Inaki Williams' turn to attack down the right, and after beating Gabriel, his shot from a tight angle was saved by David Raya.
The hosts' keeper, Simon, calmly saved a header from Mikel Merino, who rose well before the 70-minute mark. Eze was then replaced by Martinelli moments later, with the Brazilian making his mark on the game after only being on the pitch for less than a minute.
The visitors regained possession following Bilbao's goal kick, and Trossard flicked the ball over the top for the 24-year-old to chase. He remained in possession and powered his way up into the box and eventually slotted home to break the deadlock, and scored his first goal of the season.
Trossard then secured the victory after brilliant play between himself and the goal scorer, Martinelli. With the ball played back for the Belgian at the edge of the six-yard box, he found a way through to score after a slight deflection. The replacement's goals proved to be enough as Arteta's men, who are one of the favourites to lift the title, begin on the front foot as they leave Spain with all three points.
Next Stop For Both In Europe
Up next for Arsenal after a midweek EFL League Cup match against Port Vale will be hosting Greek side Olympiacos F.C. at Emirates Stadium on October 1. For Athletic Club, they travel to Signal Iduna Park to face Borussia Dortmund in matchday two of the Champions League.