By News18,Vivek Ganapathy

Copyright news18

English side Arsenal started their UEFA Champions League 2025/26 season with a win on the road against Spanish outfit Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard came off the bench to net a goal each as the duo guided the Gunners to the win on the opening day of the elite European event.
Mikel Arteta’s side, aiming for their first major trophy since 2020 and their first-ever Champions League win, secured their victory with a solid defensive performance and late goals.
Martinelli scored in the 72nd minute, just 36 seconds after coming off the bench, and Trossard added a second goal in the 87th minute, with each player assisting the other.
“We started to grow throughout the game. In the second half, we were more fluent, dominant, and the finishers made the impact for us to win the game,” Arteta told reporters.
“(The substitutes) are at least equally important, if not more important.
“We have discussed that — the finishers are going to be more important this season sometimes than the starters, and we can change the game then, when teams start to drop off.”
Athletic, competing in the Champions League for the first time in 11 years, dominated the early stages, buoyed by enthusiastic home support.
Their coach Ernesto Valverde fielded a team of players making their Champions League debuts, including key striker Inaki Williams but not his injured brother Nico Williams.
Arsenal started with four Spaniards, including two Basque midfielders, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi, who used to play for Athletic’s rivals Real Sociedad.
The Gunners, missing several regulars including Bukayo Saka, began to gain momentum through Viktor Gyokeres’ movement and Noni Madueke’s persistence on the right wing.
Swedish striker Gyokeres had an effort saved by Unai Simon and then headed narrowly wide after reaching a dangerous cross by Jurrien Timber.
Alejandro Berenguer pulled a shot wide of the far post with Athletic’s first real chance shortly before the break.
Gyokeres, sporting a bandage after a clash of heads left him bleeding, nodded Declan Rice’s free-kick wide when well placed.
Williams was denied by David Raya and Merino headed straight at Simon at the other end as the match intensified.
Arteta, who hails from the Basque country, was praised as one of the best coaches in the world by Valverde and proved it with substitutions that changed the game decisively, ensuring a happy return to home soil.
The Spaniard brought on Martinelli for the ineffective Eberechi Eze, and Martinelli immediately scored the goal Arsenal needed as the Gunners countered at pace.
Martinelli ran onto Trossard’s pass, took a fine touch to leave Andoni Gorosabel trailing, and then fired under Simon.
The Brazilian was involved again in the second goal, cutting the ball back for Trossard, who beat Simon with the help of a deflection.
“(Martinelli) fully deserves it,” said Arteta. “I adore Gabi, his attitude, his commitment, his positivity, and what he’s willing to do for the team.
“We value all the qualities he has and what he brings to the team, and I’m so happy that today he decided the game for us in two actions.
“These are the moments that are hopefully going to give him the confidence he needs.”
Arsenal reinforced heavily in the summer to increase their squad depth, particularly in attack, and it paid off here.
Arteta brought on two more new arrivals, Christian Norgaard and Piero Hincapie, for their debuts late on with the points safe.
“The result doesn’t reflect what the match was like, because I thought we had a good game,” said Williams.
“We gave every drop of sweat and there are seven games left — Athletic didn’t come here to enjoy the competition but to compete in it.”