Arsenal's Substitute Stars Shine as Martinelli and Trossard Lead 2-0 Champions League Victory Over Athletic Club in Bilbao

Arsenal claimed a 2-0 win against Athletic Club in a tightly contested UEFA Champions League encounter at San Mames on Tuesday, with substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard proving pivotal in their campaign opener. The Gunners, who faced difficulties creating clear chances throughout the match, found their breakthrough after introducing summer signings Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze, with Martinelli scoring in the 72nd minute just 36 seconds after entering the field. His decisive strike set up a second goal for Trossard, whose deflected shot left Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon helpless, sealing the victory for Mikel Arteta’s side.

The match, attended by 51,059 fans, saw Arsenal overcome the challenging atmosphere of San Mames to notch a solid start in the 2025/26 Champions League. Arteta praised the impact of his substitutes, noting, "The finishers made an impact to win the game. The finishers are going to be more important this season, sometimes than the starters." He highlighted Martinelli’s readiness, stating, "In his eyes, I could see he was ready," after the Brazilian’s swift contributions shifted the game’s momentum.

Arsenal’s defensive resilience was a key factor, as they neutralized Athletic’s combative efforts. Declan Rice returned to the starting lineup, while William Saliba remained on the bench alongside 15-year-old Max Dowman. Martinelli’s pace and Trossard’s creativity provided the edge, with Arteta emphasizing his squad’s depth: "These players pose very different threats, and I feel we have the variety to test opponents in new ways." The win leaves Arteta optimistic ahead of their upcoming clash against Manchester City.

Player ratings underscored the substitutes’ influence, with Martinelli and Trossard earning high marks for their roles in the victory. Meanwhile, Athletic’s defense struggled to contain Arsenal’s late-game intensity, as the Gunners secured three points in a hard-fought contest. Fans can catch the action on Sky Sports or stream it via NOW Sports, with the match report and stats offering further insights into the clash.