Arsenal vs Athletic Club: Match Report and Analysis

A Champions League opener away from home, a hostile atmosphere, and a team that hadn’t quite clicked—then two substitutes changed everything as Arsenal walked out of San Mamés with a 2-0 win over Athletic Club, courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. Here’s how the Gunners did it, who stood out, and what it tells us about their European ambitions.

Result: Arsenal 2-0 Athletic Club ·
Goalscorers: Gabriel Martinelli (72′), Leandro Trossard (87′) ·
Venue: San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao ·
Competition: UEFA Champions League Group Stage ·
Date: September 17, 2025

Here are the essential match details:

How to access Arsenal vs Athletic Club highlights and replays

Official match reports and highlights

The full match report and video highlights are available on Arsenal’s official website (Arsenal FC (official club site)) and through UEFA’s digital platforms. BBC Sport also provides a detailed report alongside live player ratings (BBC Sport (broadcaster)).

Replay and streaming information

UEFA.tv offers full match replays to subscribers. For UK viewers, TNT Sports (holder of Champions League rights) broadcast the match live; check your local broadcaster for availability.

These official channels provide the most reliable match coverage.

How did Arsenal perform against Athletic Club?

Arsenal player ratings from the match

• Gabriel Martinelli: 8.58 – highest-rated Arsenal player (BBC Sport)
• Leandro Trossard: 8.46 – second-highest (BBC Sport)
• Cristhian Mosquera: 7.98 – strong defensive display (BBC Sport)
• Jurrien Timber, Gabriel, and Mosquera were among Arsenal’s strongest performers according to Goal’s ratings (Goal (football analysis site))

Key moments and goals

Gabriel Martinelli scored 36 seconds after coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute (ESPN match report). Leandro Trossard sealed the win in the 87th minute (Arsenal FC report).

Tactical analysis of Arsenal’s win

Arsenal’s pre-match analysis described Athletic Club as a fast-paced, pressing side in a 4-2-3-1 shape that averages 48% possession in La Liga (Arsenal FC pre-match analysis). Arsenal soaked up pressure, stayed compact defensively, and struck on the counter. The clean sheet was their first competitive shutout from open play this term (BBC Sport).

The implication: Arsenal’s ability to win without dominating possession shows a tactical maturity that bodes well for the knockout stages.

Which team has never beaten Arsenal?

Arsenal’s unbeaten record against Athletic Club

Arsenal and Athletic Club have met twice in the 2025 calendar year, and Arsenal have won both matches: a 3-0 pre-season victory in the Emirates Cup (Arsenal FC report) and the 2-0 Champions League triumph (Arsenal FC report). Athletic Club have therefore never beaten Arsenal in a competitive fixture.

Historical context of unbeaten runs

Arsenal have long unbeaten runs against several clubs in English football, but their perfect record against Athletic Club is currently limited to these two meetings.

The pattern: Athletic Club joins a growing list of opponents that have yet to find an answer to Arsenal’s defensive discipline and counter-attacking threat in this fixture.

Who is Arsenal’s biggest rival?

Arsenal’s biggest rival is typically Tottenham Hotspur, with other significant rivalries including Manchester United and Chelsea. This match against Athletic Club is a continental fixture, not a club rivalry.

Which English club has the most trophies?

Manchester United holds the record for most total trophies among English clubs. Liverpool has more major trophies than Arsenal. Arsenal ranks among top English clubs with 13 league titles and 14 FA Cups.

How do Arsenal’s recent meetings with Athletic Club compare?

Pre-season Emirates Cup final (August 9, 2025)

Arsenal won 3-0 with goals from Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres (his first for the club) (Arsenal FC report). The Standard rated Martin Zubimendi as the star player, giving him 9/10 (Evening Standard (London newspaper)).

Champions League opener (September 17, 2025)

Arsenal won 2-0 with goals from substitutes Martinelli and Trossard. Martinelli’s impact vindicated Arsenal’s substitutions, according to football.london (football.london (Arsenal-focused site)).

Key differences

• The pre-season match featured a more attacking lineup with new signings; the Champions League match required defensive resilience.
• Both matches saw Arsenal keep clean sheets, but the competitive performance highlighted their adaptability against a pressing opponent.

The contrast: While the pre-season win showcased attacking fluidity, the competitive victory highlighted defensive solidity—a sign that Arsenal can tailor their game plan to the stakes.

What are the key takeaways from the match?

Confirmed facts

• Arsenal won 2-0 at San Mamés (Arsenal FC report)
• Martinelli (72′) and Trossard (87′) scored (ESPN)
• Clean sheet maintained (BBC Sport)
• BBC player ratings: Martinelli 8.58, Trossard 8.46, Mosquera 7.98 (BBC Sport)

What remains unclear

• Exact attendance figure
• Full possession statistics and shot counts
• Referee identity
• Complete substitution details for Athletic Club

Why this matters: The gaps in publicly available data make it harder to fully assess Athletic Club’s performance and whether the scoreline flattered Arsenal.

Match timeline

• 16 Sept 2025 – Match preview and buildup published by Arsenal (Arsenal FC)
• 17 Sept 2025 – Match day: Arsenal vs Athletic Club
• 72nd minute – Martinelli scores first goal (ESPN)
• 87th minute – Trossard scores second goal (Goal)
• After match – Player ratings and reactions published by BBC, Goal, football.london

“We’ve still not conceded from open play this term.”

– Mikel Arteta, quoted in Arsenal’s official match report (Arsenal FC (official club site))

“Athletic Club are a fast-paced, pressing side in a 4-2-3-1 shape.”

– Arsenal’s pre-match analysis (Arsenal FC (official club site))

For Arsenal fans, the message from Bilbao is clear: this squad has the defensive backbone and impact options to go deep in the Champions League. But the real test will come when they face a side that can match their discipline—and that might already be waiting in the knockout draw.

Related reading: Report: Arsenal 3-0 Athletic Club · Report: Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal

Frequently asked questions