Match Recap

Martinelli Sparks Arsenal to 2-0 Champions League Win Over Athletic Bilbao

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Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard

Arsenal kicked off their Champions League campaign with a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Athletic Club at San Mamés, thanks to a pair of decisive interventions from the bench.

On a night when the Gunners were missing several key players and often frustrated by Athletic’s resolute resistance, it was Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard who delivered the moments that swung the game in Arsenal’s favour.

For much of the match, Athletic defended deep, marshalled by a stern backline, and backed by the passionate home crowd. Arsenal dominated possession and territory, but chances were sporadic and rarely clear.

Eberechi Eze, starting in place of the injured Martin Ødegaard, looked lively but was unable to find that decisive pass or shot to open the scoring. Viktor Gyokeres had moments where he threatened, while Noni Madueke caused problems but found himself often crowded out.

Athletic, for their part, rarely threatened on the break, preferring to stay compact and rely on moments of physicality and set-piece work to unsettle Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side were visibly short of sharpness. Misplaced passes, slow transitions, and too many times when crosses failed to find a target contributed to a first half that left fans of the Gunners wanting more.

Athletic’s goalkeeper Unai Simón was largely untested, though he did manage to collect a cross or two and was alert when required. Bilaboans exchanged shouts of encouragement, fully expecting their side might frustrate and perhaps steal something here.

The break did little to change the pattern for a time. Arsenal returned pushing, seeking an early edge, and Athletic continued to absorb pressure. But as the game passed the hour mark without a breakthrough, Arteta turned to his bench.

The substitution that would prove decisive was made in the 71st minute, when Gabriel Martinelli replaced Eberechi Eze. Almost immediately, the momentum swung. Within seconds of entering the pitch, Martinelli capitalised on a long forward pass, capitalising on a flick from Trossard to race through and beat Simón.

In just his first minute after coming on, he found the opening goal and gave Arsenal the lead in a manner that jolted the match from a stalemate into something more urgent. That moment lifted the weight off Arsenal’s shoulders, and injected belief into their play.

Athletic responded with more urgency, pushing forward, committing numbers, trying to stretch Arsenal out wide and test their defensive structure. There were some half-chances, but Arsenal’s backline, marshalled well, did enough to snuff out danger.

On several occasions, Arsenal’s midfield shifted possession smartly, trying to draw Athletic forward and exploit the spaces in behind.

As the clock wound down, Arsenal found room to breathe more easily, and on the cusp of full time came a second goal to kill the contest. In the 86th minute, Martinelli again was at the heart of the action, this time as provider. He cut in from the right, played a pull-back along the byline to Trossard, whose shot took a wicked deflection off Dani Vivian and looped over Simón into the net.

In the aftermath, the contributions of substitutes were rightly celebrated. Martinelli was named Player of the Match by many observers, his impact off the bench changing the complexion of the tie.

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