Arsenal got off to a perfect start in Europe on Tuesday night with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Mikel Arteta watched his side weather a storm in the early stages as the Spanish side attacked relentlessly, and the introduction of Gabriel Martinelli in the 71st minute then helped Arsenal get on the scoresheet as the Brazilian scored just seconds later.
The Arsenal No.11 then assisted Leandro Trossard to seal the win in the 87th minute.
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To some fans, the result will feel like nothing more than a routine victory, but it has actually seen Arsenal make football history.
Arsenal become first side ever to win six consecutive European games against Spanish opponents
Spanish sides have often been strong in Europe. Real Madrid can boast a record 15 UEFA Champions League titles, while Sevilla even won the UEFA Europa League three times in a row in 2014, 2015 and 2016 under Unai Emery.
However, they have been no match for Arsenal in recent times, with the Gunners now becoming the first club ever to win six games in a row against Spanish opposition in Europe after defeating Athletic Bilbao.
This run began back in the 2023/24 campaign with a 2-1 victory away at Sevilla, and also included memorable wins over Real Madrid last season.
Sevilla 1-2 Arsenal (24th October 2023)
Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla (8th November 2023)
Girona 1-2 Arsenal (29th January 2025)
Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (8th April 2025)
Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal (16th April 2025)
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal (16th September 2025)
That is quite the achievement from Arteta, who is clearly strong when it comes to getting a result over clubs from his homeland.
Gabriel Martinelli cameo arguably more pleasing than this record
While Arsenal should be proud of this record, the Gunners should be more focused on the stunning cameo from Martinelli – who Bayern Munich looked at over the summer.
The Brazil international scored just ten goals in 51 appearances last season, and was struggling to show much improvement at the start of this campaign too.
Theo Walcott even criticised Martinelli for his ineffective display in the 1-0 loss at Anfield, leaving many to wonder if the South American would be nothing more than a mere squad player this term, far from the sensation who scored 15 Premier League goals in the 2022/23 campaign.
However, the Arsenal No.11 looked like his old self in Bilbao, playing to his strengths as he used his pace and directness to excellent effect.
The motivated Martinelli played like a man who knows Eberechi Eze is now ahead of him in the pecking order, which bodes well as Arteta looks to win silverware this season.