Arsenal have made Champions League history with their opening win against Athletic Bilbao.
The Gunners beat their Spanish opponents 2-0 at the Estadio de San Mames on Tuesday night to make it a perfect start to their league phase campaign.
Second half substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard proved to be the difference after replacing Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres respectively.
Just 36 seconds after coming on, Martinelli latched onto a flick from Trossard where he raced clear on goal.
He then proceeded to squeeze the ball under Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon in the 72nd minute – scoring Arsenal’s fastest ever substitute goal in the Champions League.
And in the 87th minute, Martinelli returned the favour by teeing up the Belgian forward after great work down the byline.
Trossard swivelled in the box and found the back of the net with a deflected strike to seal a well-deserved three points.
In doing so, the two substitutes have become the first Arsenal players to assist each other’s goals as substitutes in the Champions League.
But more impressively, victory at Bilbao has seen Mikel Arteta‘s side enter the record books in club football’s most prestigious competition.
Arsenal have become the first side in European Cup and Champions League history to win six consecutive matches against Spanish teams.
Two of those came against Real Madrid in last season’s quarter-finals, with a victory over Girona coming in the league phase.
During their 2023/24 campaign, Arsenal won both of their Group B ties against Sevilla.
GettyTrossard doubled the visitors’ lead just before second half injury time[/caption] GettyThe Belgian chipped in with a goal and assist after coming off the bench[/caption]In fact, it’s been almost ten years since the north London side failed to beat Spanish opposition in the Champions League.
Arsenal were beaten in both last-16 legs against Barcelona during the 2015/16 campaign.
However, such a drought came amid a six-season Champions League absence from 2017 to 2023.
Who do Arsenal next face in the Champions League?
A home clash against Olympiacos, who knocked them out of the Europa League in the 2019/20 term, is up next for Arsenal.
They then face more Spanish opposition with the visit of Atletico Madrid in what will be just their third ever meeting.
Arsenal travel to Slavia Prague at the beginning of November before hosting six-time winners Bayern Munich.
Martinelli has found himself playing second fiddle to Eze in Arsenal’s last two gamesGettyArsenal's last six wins against Spanish teams in the Champions League
2025/26:
Athletic Bilbao X-X Arsenal – League phase2024/25:
Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal – Quarter-final second leg Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid – Quarter-final first leg Girona 1-2 Arsenal – League phase2023/24:
Arsenal 2-0 Sevilla – Group stage Sevilla 1-2 Arsenal – Group stageClub Brugge and Inter Milan are their opponents either side of the festive period.
The Gunners complete their league phase fixtures at home to FC Kairat, who are making their competition debut.
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