Arsenal kicked off their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao at the Estadio de San Mames on Tuesday.

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Gabriel Martinelli may have lost his place in the the first XI when Eberechi Eze arrived back at Arsenal during the summer transfer window, but the Brazilian provided just the spark that Mikel Arteta’s side needed in Bilbao. Martinelli walked onto the field in the 71st minute and had the ball in the back of the net with 71:11 on the clock. Leandro Trossard booted a bouncing ball over the top of Bilbao’s defense for Martinelli to chase down with just one defender to beat — perhaps the perfect role for a player who often frustrated and fell short of requirements over 90

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