Arsenal won Athletic in San Mamés in his Champions League debut thanks to Arteta changes

Arsenal began his way in the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 with a worked victory and of weight in San Mamés, to the overcome Athletic 2-0. Relive The Disney+ Premium Plan Party (For South America).

Mikel Arteta teamindicated as One of the great candidates of this edition and with the obligation that the cycle finally achieves an important title, showed character in a difficult scenario and ended up solving the game thanks to the impact of the changes.

The beginning was not simple. Athletic was determined to compete equally And from the first minute he marked the Arsenal that he was not going to give anything. In the first part, the Basques matched the intensity of the English, who suffered to generate clear occasions.

Arsenal sought to open the score with aerial shipments, but that route never concretized. Even without a clear domain, Athletic was encouraged to attack and had some chance that could complicate David Raya, archer of the London.

Arteta gave Arsenal victory in the Champions League with the changes

In the second half, Arteta understood that she should change pieces to unlock the game. First he took out a little participatory and inefficient Gyokeres, and sent Leandro Trosssard to the court to give freshness to the attack.

The movement resulted, but The final break came in the 71st minute with the entrance of Gabriel Martinelli instead of Eze. Barely A minute later, the Brazilian It was deep on the left and, after a Trosssard pass, he took a cross shot that beat Unai Simón, of lazy response in the action.

From there, Arsenal dedicated himself to controlling the rhythm, closing spaces and neutralizing Athletic reaction attempts.

About the end, In the 87th minute, Trosssardafter Martinelli’s assistance, marked 2-0 with some luck and confirmed that Arteta won the game from the bank.

Arteta also made time to do debut the Ecuadorian Piero Empaca. The central entered in a time of discount to ensure victory.

With this triumph in Bilbao, Arsenal adds confidence, it reaffirms as a candidate in the Champions and gets into the fight for the top of the league phase since the first day.

The next challenge for those of Arteta will be at home against Olympiacos, on Wednesday, October 1. That same day, Athletic will visit Dortmund in Germany.