Arsenal FC manager Mikel Arteta has praised his team for registering a hard fought win over Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames in Spain.
The Gunners beat Bilbao 2-0 to open its 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League campaign on a fine note with goals coming from Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli in the 87th and 72ndminute respectively to seal the win.
Both players registered an assist in the game and Martinelli’s goal came just 36 seconds after coming off the bench; he was named as the Man of the Match Award winner.
Speaking after the game, Arteta was happy his team earned the right to win the tough game away from home by stating,
“I’m very happy. It’s an incredible place to come and play football.”
“We knew it was going to be difficult so we had to earn the right to win the game. Throughout the game, we became more and more dominant and much more of a threat. Overall, very good” Arteta said per the BBC.
Arsenal take on Manchester City next in the EPL on Sunday, September 21 at 15:30 GMT.
