Martinelli & Trossard the Game Changers

Arsenal began their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign in perfect fashion, defeating Athletic Club 2-0 away from home in a game that showed both resilience and tactical brilliance. While the first half was cagey, it was the second-half substitutions by Mikel Arteta that turned the tide, with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard stepping up when it mattered most.

A Tight First Half with Drama

From the opening whistle, it was clear that this clash was going to be evenly matched. Athletic Club pressed high, forcing mistakes in midfield, while Arsenal looked to use the pace of Gyökeres and Madueke to break in behind.

Viktor Gyökeres had a rollercoaster first half. He twice found the back of the net, only for both goals to be ruled out. To make matters worse, he suffered a nasty clash of heads with Gabriel Magalhães, leaving him bandaged for the rest of the game. Still, the Swedish striker battled on, showing real grit and determination — the kind of spirit fans love to see.

Athletic Club, roared on by their home crowd, carved out opportunities but lacked precision in the final third. Arsenal’s defense, marshalled by William Saliba, stayed organized to keep the hosts at bay.

Arteta’s Substitutions Change Everything

The real story of the match unfolded in the second half. Mikel Arteta rolled the dice by bringing on Gabriel Martinelli for Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard for Noni Madueke. The impact was instant and devastating.

Within 47 seconds of coming on, Trossard lifted a clever high ball into the box. Martinelli anticipated it perfectly, took it down, and slotted home to break the deadlock in the 72nd minute. The Arsenal bench erupted, and suddenly the game’s momentum shifted completely.

As Athletic Club pushed forward in search of an equalizer, Arsenal struck again. This time it was Trossard who finished clinically in the 87th minute, sealing the win and capping off a brilliant cameo performance: one assist, one goal, and pure composure under pressure.

A Statement Victory for Arsenal

This wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. Arsenal showed they can handle hostile European atmospheres, adapt mid-game, and rely on their depth to deliver results.

• Martinelli proved once again why he’s such a lethal option off the bench.
  
• Trossard demonstrated his versatility and clutch ability, making a case to start in future games.
  
• Gyökeres, despite his injury scare, displayed warrior-like determination that sets the tone for the squad.
  

Arteta deserves credit for his game management. The timing of his substitutions was spot on, and the tactical shift caught Athletic Club completely off guard.

What This Means Going Forward

For Arsenal, this victory is the perfect springboard into the group stage. Winning tough away games is often the difference between topping a group and finishing second, and this result gives them breathing room early on.

Athletic Club, meanwhile, will feel hard done by. They matched Arsenal for large parts of the match but were undone by moments of brilliance and sharper finishing. They’ll need to bounce back quickly in their next fixture to stay alive in the group.

Final Thoughts

Arsenal fans will be buzzing after this performance. It wasn’t flawless, but it was efficient, clinical, and filled with character. The fact that the game was decided by substitutes shows the strength of this squad — and hints at how deep Arsenal’s run in the Champions League 2025/26 could go.

Next up: another tough European test awaits. But if the Gunners continue to show this kind of resilience and adaptability, there’s every reason to believe they can dream big this season.

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