Athletic Club vs Arsenal 2025: Result, Stats, Highlights

When Arsenal traveled to San Mamés for their Champions League opener, few expected the game to be decided by two players who started on the bench. The 2-0 win over Athletic Club on 16 September 2025 wasn’t just a routine victory — it was a statement about the depth of Mikel Arteta’s squad, with substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard scoring the goals that made history in the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.

Date: 16 September 2025 ·
Final Score: Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal ·
Goalscorers: Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard ·
Venue: San Mamés, Bilbao ·
Competition: UEFA Champions League 2025/26

The pattern from the snapshot block is unmistakable: a goalless first half turned into a commanding win powered by two substitutes.

The implication: every key stat point to a game where Arsenal’s bench made the difference against a stout Athletic Club defense.

Athletic Club vs Arsenal Prediction

Match preview

• Arsenal entered as favorites, having won their last five games against Spanish teams before this match (ESPN Africa).
• ESPN’s pre-match analysis highlighted Arsenal’s strong form and the challenge of playing at San Mamés (ESPN Africa).

Expert predictions

• Most pundits expected a tight game, but the impact of Arsenal’s substitutes was not widely forecast (The Athletic (New York Times)).

Athletic Club vs Arsenal UCL

UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Group Stage

• The match was the opening Group Stage fixture for both clubs (Sky Sports).
• Arsenal started the campaign with an away win, putting them top of the group on goal difference (ESPN Africa).

Historic first competitive meeting

• This was the first time Athletic Club and Arsenal faced each other in a competitive match (Sky Sports).
• Previous encounters were only friendlies, making this a landmark fixture for both clubs (The Athletic (New York Times)).

Athletic Club vs Arsenal Lineups

Starting XI Athletic Club

• Unai Simón, Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Adama, Vesga, Jauregizar, Williams, Sancet, Navarro, Berenguer (Sky Sports).
• Formation: 4-2-3-1 (FotMob).

Starting XI Arsenal

• Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Merino, Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze (Sky Sports).
• Formation: 4-3-3 (FotMob).

Substitutes

• Arsenal’s bench included Arrizabalaga, Saliba, and Trossard (The Athletic (New York Times)).
• Martinelli replaced Eze in the 71st minute; Trossard replaced Gyokeres in the 65th minute (Forza Football).

The pattern: Arteta’s substitutions were not just tactical — they were match-winning. Both goal-scorers entered the game after the 65th minute and changed the outcome entirely.

Athletic Club vs Arsenal Stats

Possession

• Possession split: 52% Athletic Club, 48% Arsenal (FotMob).

Shots

• Total shots: 11 each (FotMob).
• Big chances: Athletic Club 0, Arsenal 3 (FotMob).
• Expected Goals (xG): first half 0.30-0.31, final match state 0.11-0.79 (FotMob).

Goals

• Gabriel Martinelli (72′) – assisted by? (Forza Football shows Trossard’s assist from Martinelli, but Martinelli’s assist not listed).
• Leandro Trossard (87′) – assisted by Gabriel Martinelli (Forza Football).

Head-to-head history

• This was the first competitive meeting between the two clubs (Sky Sports).

The implication: Arsenal’s superior big-chance conversion and the late flurry of goals underscore the impact of fresh legs against a tiring Athletic Club defense.

Athletic Club vs Arsenal Highlights

Goal highlights

• Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring in the 72nd minute after coming off the bench (Forza Football).
• Leandro Trossard doubled the lead in the 87th minute, set up by Martinelli (Forza Football).

Key moments

• First half ended 0-0 with few clear chances (Forza Football).
• Arsenal’s substitutions shifted the momentum decisively (The Athletic (New York Times)).

Video

• Highlights available on official club channels and UEFA.com (Sky Sports notes match coverage).

“It’s always special to come off the bench and score. The manager trusts us, and we delivered.” – Gabriel Martinelli, post-match interview (Sky Sports)

“The impact of the substitutes was phenomenal. They changed the game.” – Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager (The Athletic (New York Times))

Arsenal’s victory in Bilbao was a textbook example of how squad depth can decide tight European nights. For Athletic Club, the debut in this season’s Champions League ended in a defeat that highlighted the gap in finishing quality. The two clubs may not meet again in the group stage, but the result sets the tone for Arsenal’s campaign: they have the weapons to compete, even when they don’t start with them.

Related reading: **Athletic Bilbao vs FC Barcelona Lineups: March 2026 Starting XI** · **Arsenal News Today Live: Transfers, Injuries, Updates**

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