2 hours ago 2

Athletic Club 0 – Arsenal 2: off on the right foot

Arsenal downed Athletic Club 2-0 at a raucous San Mames stadium to open up the League Phase of the Champions League properly. Second half substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard were the difference makers, each scoring a goal assisted by the other. At the other end, the Gunners held the home side to two shots on target, neither of which troubled David Raya in the slightest. It was precisely the type of solid, composed performance you need to win away in Europe.

It was a cagey affair throughout and particularly in the first half. Arsenal looked to draw Bilbao out of their frustrating mid-block and further up the pitch by knocking it around the back. For the most part, the hosts weren’t biting. The Gunners couldn’t get the ball up the pitch — Martin Ødegaard’s absence was keenly felt. The result was Athletic Club having most of the early possession in the Arsenal half but lacking the ability to unlock a resolute defense and trouble the goal, likely in large part due to Nico Williams’ injury absence.

Around the 25 minute mark, Arsenal came into the match and started to flip the script. Like he was at the weekend, Noni Madueke created problem after problem for the opposing defense. He had a really good game. He’s so direct — he loves to take on his man, usually beats him, and gets the ball into the box to create danger. Viktor Gyokeres was involved, too. The Big Swede is still working his way into things. The timing still isn’t there on every attack (both for Viktor and his teammates) but you can clearly see the progress and growth in action.

The pace of play picked up noticeably in the second half, to Arsenal’s benefit. But it wasn’t until Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard replaced Ebere Eze and Viktor Gyokeres that the breakthrough came. The Brazilian hadn’t been on the pitch for a minute before a lovely flick at midfield put him in behind the defense. His first touch wasn’t great, but his second was magnificent. He outran the defenders and slipped the ball underneath Unai Simon for the opening goal, definitely echoes of the goal he scored against Chelsea several years ago.

It was a poor goal for Bilbao to concede. All of their defenders were way too far up the pitch on a goal kick (or maybe it was a free kick, I don’t remember). Cristhian Mosquera directed an uncontested header up the pitch. Trossard flicked it on and everyone save the last defender was beat. That can’t happen, particularly off your own restart. Credit to Arsenal for attacking quickly and directly, but man. You’ve got to be more aware defensively.

Fifteen minutes later, Martinelli and Trossard combined to seal the points for Arsenal. Martinelli beat his man around the corner and found the Belgian on a cutback. It took Leandro a second to sort out his feet and a bit of good fortune with his shot, which took a heavy deflection off a defender and in off the post.

It’s quite nice to be able to bring players of Martinelli and Trossard’s caliber off the bench against a tired defense. Arsenal didn’t have that kind of quality depth last season, and you can see the difference that it makes. Martinelli’s pace and energy was too much for Bilbao. Isn’t it funny how the football gods laugh at the narratives peddled by many of the loudest (and dumbest) among us? People wanted one or both of that pair sold this summer. They were “out of form” and out of favor (supposedly) with the manager. And then they provide the winner and insurance goal.

The Arsenal defense was strong, as usual. Jurrien Timber had a great game going up and down the right flank. Riccardo Calafiori did has usual roaming, chaos-creating thing. Gabriel time and again calmly erased Bilbao attacks. And Cristhian Mosquera is a certified baller. He’s really good, folks. It’s wild that Arsenal got him for as cheap as they did.

There’s not much more to be said. Ah, actually one more thing. Arsenal were whistled for 15 fouls (Athletic for 18). The Gunners still haven’t figured out the difference in continental refereeing versus the Premier League. They’d do well to work on their understanding of what is and isn’t a foul for Champions League referees and adjust their play accordingly.

Overall, a solid outing from top to bottom from the Gunners. Onto Manchester City at the weekend.