Athletic Club fall off the pace late in Champions League return against Arsenal a decade later | OneFootball

Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal

Athletic Club made their return to the Champions League a decade later against Arsenal, with the early kick-off not getting in the way of a packed out San Mames nor a raucous atmosphere. However the crowd could not inspire Athletic to points in their home debut.

With Nico Williams absent, Ernesto Valverde began their European campaign without a recognised number nine, with Alex Berenguer going through the middle. Los Leones came out the blocks fast, and played the game on their terms during the opening 20 minutes. Hunting Arsenal in their own half, the Gunners were rarely comfortable.

However midway through the first half, Arsenal did begin to apply pressure, and a brilliant Andoni Gorosabel challenge prevented the opener going to Arsenal, thwarting Noni Madueke at the last. Viktor Gyokeres turned a header wide, before requiring treatment after a clash with Gabriel Magalhaes, with blood gushing from the back of his head.

The final chance of the half, and Athletic’s clearest opening, fell to Berenguer, but he could only drag it wide of the far post.

Mikel Arteta substitutes make the difference

Image via Arsenal FC

In the second half, Athletic continued to give as good as they got where possible, but as time passed, they felt their legs burning in their efforts to do so. It was Gabriel Martinelli, off the bench, who would break the deadlock with 18 minutes to go, getting to a loose ball first, and then racing beyond the defence, before finishing below Unai Simon.

Athletic upped the ante, but succeeded in stretching themselves as much as Arsenal. The Gunners called in their debt. Martinelli skipped past Gorosabel at the by-line, before pulling the ball back for fellow substitute Leandro Trossard with three minutes to go. Dani Vivian’s block could only divert it in off the post past Simon.

Valverde will be able spin the match positively, with his side keeping things even for much of the match. However the issues plaguing his attack became only more evident in the face a solid Arsenal defence. Mikel Arteta will no doubt be pleased to get an early three points on the board in a difficult setting. They host Olympiakos next, while Athletic head to Borussia Dortmund in two weeks’ time.