Bilbao, Spain – We were told this would be a difficult night. We were told the San Mamés stadium, packed to the rafters with a sea of red and white, would be a cauldron of noise and intimidation. And for a full-blooded 65 minutes, it lived up to the hype. But in the end, it was Arsenal’s class, composure, and a touch of tactical genius from Mikel Arteta that silenced the home crowd and secured a vital 2-0 victory in our Champions League opener.
This wasn’t a vintage Arsenal performance, not by any stretch. With key players like Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz all sidelined, our new-look front line struggled to find its groove. The first half was a bruising affair, with Athletic’s high-octane pressing and physical defending putting us under relentless pressure. David Raya, in goal, was superb, not just with his saves, but with his composure on the ball under pressure, a key part of our game plan. Declan Rice, even after an early yellow card, was a rock in the midfield, shielding the back line.
The home side was relentless, buoyed by the incredible atmosphere created by a fan base fiercely proud of their unique “cantera” philosophy. For much of the first half, Mikel Arteta’s tactical setup—designed for control rather than creation—was frustrated. As Athletic manager Ernesto Valverde later admitted, his team was “very clear about what they have to do.” Our new central midfield pairing of Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino struggled to dictate the pace of the game, while our new attacking trio of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze found themselves stifled. Gyokeres, in particular, was restricted to half-chances, while Eze was well-marshalled by his marker. As one match report noted, the expensively-assembled attack was “blunt.” It felt like one of those frustrating nights where a draw was the best we could hope for.
But this isn’t the Arsenal of old. This is an Arsenal with depth, with a plan, and with a manager who sees his subs not as replacements, but as “finishers.” And boy, did they deliver.
Just after the hour mark, Arteta made the decisive call, bringing on Leandro Trossard. A few minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli was introduced. The collective groan from the Athletic fans was almost audible—they knew what was coming. And within moments, the game was turned on its head.
It was a goal straight from the training ground. Trossard, demonstrating why he’s one of the most intelligent players in the squad, lifted a delicate, looping ball over the top of the Athletic defence. Martinelli, like a rocket, burst into the space. The Athletic defender, who had been solid all night, was left flat-footed. Gabi took a touch to control, and with the composure of a seasoned veteran, he slotted it under the onrushing keeper, Unai Simón. The swift, clinical finish was a release of pent-up pressure for the Gunners and a perfect execution of Arteta’s “finisher” philosophy.
One fan’s email to a live blog perfectly captured the moment, saying the goal “is Martinelli in a nutshell.” It was a moment of raw, blistering pace combined with a sublime second touch that reminded everyone of his immense talent.
The second goal was almost a mirror image of the first, a testament to the seamless partnership of our new “finishers.” As Athletic pushed for an equaliser, Martinelli, full of confidence, embarked on one of his trademark surging runs down the left wing. He cut the ball back, and there was Trossard, who calmly took a touch and saw his shot take a deflection that left the keeper with no chance. This marked the first time Arsenal substitutes have ever combined for multiple goals in a single Champions League game, a historic moment of squad depth.
For all the talk of our new signings and attacking flair, this was a win forged in resilience and smart management. Arteta’s decision to trust his bench, to put on two players with the quality and energy to change the game, was the difference. Following the match, a delighted Mikel Arteta shared his philosophy. He said that he had to be pragmatic and told reporters that he “looked on the bench and in their eyes I saw he was ready.” This was a win that showcased not just talent, but character and belief.
As defender Jurriën Timber put it in his post-match interview, the clean sheet was down to the “collective defensive work” of the entire team, not just the back four. He went on to praise the squad’s depth, saying, “I think we have a deep squad, a great squad, so when players come on, they can make a difference like this, it’s going to really help us this season.”
Gabriel Martinelli, rightfully named UEFA’s Player of the Match despite his limited minutes, showed that he’s still a world-class talent ready to explode. After the final whistle, a touch of class from Martinelli saw him give his shirt to a young Athletic fan holding a banner, a moment that drew cheers from all sections of the stadium.
This was a statement that this Arsenal side has the guts, the talent, and the tactical flexibility to win when they aren’t at their best. We came to a hostile fortress and walked away with three points. We showed that we have the character to navigate a difficult European away night, a quality that will be absolutely crucial as we turn our attention to the titanic showdown against Manchester City at the weekend. Tonight, we can all raise a glass to the “finishers” who got our Champions League campaign off to a perfect start.
Images courtesy of Reuters/Action Images