Gabriel Martinelli
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal kicked off their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign in style with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at the San Mamés Stadium, thanks to a record-breaking cameo from Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian winger, introduced in the 71st minute, needed just 36 seconds to find the net before turning provider for Leandro Trossard’s late strike. His decisive impact earned him the Player of the Match award and underlined his growing reputation as one of Mikel Arteta’s most reliable game-changers.
Bilbao began brightly, roared on by a vociferous home crowd and pressing high up the pitch. Arsenal were made to work hard, with David Raya largely untested but kept alert by the Basque side’s intensity. The Gunners struggled to carve out clear chances in the opening period, though summer signing Viktor Gyokeres went close with a header that drifted wide.
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The breakthrough came once Arteta turned to his bench. Martinelli replaced Eberechi Eze and immediately struck, racing onto Trossard’s flicked pass before coolly slotting under goalkeeper Unai Simón. It was the fastest goal ever scored by an Arsenal substitute in the Champions League and swung the contest firmly in the visitors’ favour.
Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli was voted Man of the Match against Athletic Bilbao in the the Champions League (Image credit: Getty Images)
Sixteen minutes later, the pair combined again. Martinelli cut in from the left and squared for Trossard, whose shot deflected off Dani Vivian into the net to seal the points. The substitutes’ instant chemistry highlighted Arsenal’s squad depth, something Arteta was keen to stress afterwards.
“I was sure Gabby would react like that,” Arteta said post-match. “He’s constantly willing to learn, he’s very demanding with himself, and he proved again what he can do. The whole team showed character in a difficult place to play.”
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Martinellireflected with pride on his role in the victory: “I’m really happy with the result, the goal, and the assist. It’s very difficult to win here, but we showed character and quality.”
The win also carried historic significance. Arsenal became the first team in European Cup/Champions League history to win six consecutive matches against Spanish opposition, adding Bilbao to a run that already includes Sevilla, Real Madrid, and Girona.
For Athletic, it was a frustrating return to Europe’s top competition after a ten-year absence. Manager Ernesto Valverde praised his players’ effort but admitted they struggled to cope with Arsenal’s clinical edge in the second half.
The result sets up Arsenal well for the weeks ahead, with their next challenge a heavyweight Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday. With Martinelli and Trossard shining off the bench, Arteta may now face a welcome selection headache.
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