Arsenal kicked off their 2025-26 Champions League campaign with a gritty 2-0 win away at Athletic Bilbao’s San Mamés. Despite a nervy first half in which the Basques pressed aggressively and threatened early on, Arsenal managed to stay composed, working patiently to unlock Bilbao’s rigid defence. Manager Mikel Arteta’s lineup looked thin in key areas due to absences, but the substitutes would eventually provide the spark needed.
The breakthrough came after the interval, when Gabriel Martinelli entered the fray in the 71st minute. Barely a minute later, he exploited a defensive error, raced past Gorosabel, and calmly slotted under Unai Simón to put Arsenal ahead. The goal was electric — a burst of pace and precision that shifted momentum decisively in Arsenal’s favour. Bilbao, understandably rattled, struggled to recover their earlier intensity after that.
From there, Arsenal grew more confident. Their midfield, marshalled by Declan Rice and Zubimendi, held firm, cutting out many of Bilbao’s counter-threats. At the back, defensive discipline helped keep the home side at bay, while up front, Arsenal looked sharper every time Martinelli or Leandro Trossard (also used off the bench) came into play. Bilbao pressed, especially late in the game, but the visitors showed resolve and experience in managing the danger.
The second goal sealed the result in the 87th minute. After a sustained period of pressure, Martinelli turned provider—his clever pass found Trossard, who finished (with a touch off the defender) to double Arsenal’s lead. That goal not only confirmed the three points but also capped off a strong away performance, especially considering Arsenal were missing several stars.
Overall, it was a match that underlined a few key things about Arsenal this season: depth of squad, resilience under pressure, and the ability to make decisive contributions from key substitutes. For Athletic Bilbao, it was a frustrating return to the elite level — solid in spells but unable to convert chances or withstand the late blows. Arsenal leave San Mamés satisfied; Bilbao return home knowing more is needed.
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| 🥅 Streamhg | Server #1 |
| 🥇 Earnvids | Server #2 |
| 🎯 Filemoon | Server #3 |
| 🧤 Listeamed | Server #4 |
| ⬇️ Download | Link Here |
Watch and Download Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal full match replay and highlights, At Tuesday, September 16, 2025. The match played at Estadio de San Mamés, in Champions League, UEFA.
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