At San Mames on 16/9, Arsenal started with their new attacking trio of Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, and Noni Madueke, signed for a combined fee of nearly 200 million USD in the summer of 2025. However, the Gunners struggled and had to rely on their experienced players.
Trossard replaced Gyokeres in the 65th minute, and Martinelli came on for Eze in the 71st. The pair then combined to secure three points for Arsenal in Spain.
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Gabriel Martinelli curls in the opening goal... |
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...and celebrates during Arsenal's 2-0 win over Bilbao in their opening Champions League match at San Mames, Basque Country, Spain on 16/9/2025. Photo: Reuters |
...and celebrates during Arsenal's 2-0 win over Bilbao in their opening Champions League match at San Mames, Basque Country, Spain on 16/9/2025. Photo: Reuters
In the 72nd minute, Trossard's one-touch pass found Martinelli, who sped past two Bilbao defenders, entered the box, and curled a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Unai Simon to open the scoring. The Brazilian scored with his first touch just 36 seconds after coming on—the fastest time for an Arsenal substitute to score in the Champions League.
In the 87th minute, Martinelli returned the favor. He dribbled from the left wing into the box and passed back to Trossard. The Belgian attacker took a touch before his shot deflected off a Bilbao player and into the net, sealing the 2-0 victory. Since joining Arsenal in January 2023, Trossard has been involved in more goals than any other Premier League player in all competitions (14 - 10 goals and 4 assists).
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Leandro Trossard (right) celebrates with Gabriel Martinelli after scoring the winning goal. Photo: Arsenal FC |
Leandro Trossard (right) celebrates with Gabriel Martinelli after scoring the winning goal. Photo: Arsenal FC
The 2-0 result made Arsenal the first club to win six consecutive matches against Spanish teams in the European Cup/Champions League, following victories over Real Madrid (twice), Sevilla (twice), and Girona.
Arsenal's new attacking trio failed to make a significant impact in this match, in contrast to their performance in the 3-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest last weekend.
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Victor Gyokeres receives treatment after a clash of heads with teammate Gabriel. Photo: AP |
Victor Gyokeres receives treatment after a clash of heads with teammate Gabriel. Photo: AP
Gyokeres was the most active of the three, with a shot from a tight angle saved by the Bilbao goalkeeper in the 24th minute, followed by a header that went wide two minutes later. However, in the 30th minute, while challenging for a header from a free-kick, Gyokeres clashed heads with teammate Gabriel Magalhaes and suffered a head injury. The Swedish striker received treatment and was able to continue playing, but he was not as dynamic as before.
On 21/9, Arsenal return to the Emirates to host Man City in the fifth round of the Premier League.
Hong Duy
