Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign on a winning note with a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in the second half secured three vital points in what proved to be a hard-fought contest.
The first half was an exercise in patience for the home fans. Arsenal dominated possession from the start, pushing Bilbao deep into their half, but the Spanish side stood firm with a disciplined defensive block. Bilbao’s physicality frustrated the Gunners, who struggled to turn their control of the ball into clear-cut chances.
Bilbao, meanwhile, were content to soak up pressure and break forward when the opportunity arose. Their counter-attacks, though infrequent, carried menace, particularly through wide areas where Inaki Williams tried to stretch the Arsenal backline.
The closest Arsenal came before the interval was a sharp effort from Martin Ødegaard, whose curling shot from distance forced goalkeeper Unai Simón into a fingertip save. Bukayo Saka also saw a low cross flash across the face of goal, but no teammate was there to apply the finishing touch.
Despite the goalless first half, Mikel Arteta’s side emerged from the break with renewed urgency. Their pressing grew sharper, the passing quicker, and the movement in attack more threatening. It was clear that Arteta had urged his men to take more risks and play with greater tempo.
The breakthrough came just before the hour mark. Martinelli found space inside the box after being picked out by a clever pass from Ødegaard. With composure, the Brazilian slotted the ball past Simón to send the Emirates into raptures.
That goal lifted the pressure, and Arsenal began to play with the freedom that had been missing earlier. Bilbao were forced to come out of their shell, which only opened more space for the Gunners to exploit in transition.
The second goal arrived late in the game, and it was Trossard who provided the insurance. The Belgian winger capped off a sweeping move with a tidy finish, lashing the ball beyond Simón after a cutback from Saka. The strike sealed the points and underscored Arsenal’s control in the latter stages.
Bilbao did not go down without a fight. They tested Aaron Ramsdale twice in the final quarter of an hour, but the England goalkeeper was equal to the task, showing sharp reflexes to keep out a header and a long-range drive.
For Arsenal, the victory was as much about resilience as it was about flair. They showed patience when the game was tight and clinical precision once the breakthrough came. It was the kind of measured performance that Champions League success often demands.
The result also sends an early message to their group rivals: Arsenal are not only capable of dazzling football but also of grinding down disciplined opponents on Europe’s biggest stage. With players like Martinelli and Trossard stepping up, Arteta will be encouraged by the squad’s depth and adaptability.
As for Bilbao, they can take pride in their defensive organisation and determination, but their inability to sustain attacking pressure cost them dearly. To progress from the group, they will need to show more ambition in the final third while maintaining their trademark discipline at the back.
Arsenal now turn their focus to their next group fixture, carrying momentum and confidence. For Arteta, the night provided further evidence that his team is maturing into genuine contenders, not just in England but across Europe. The road ahead is long, but this was the perfect start.
