Gabriel Martinelli makes Champions League history in win over Athletic Bilbao
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(Credit: Imago)
Ciaran Morrison
Tue 16 September 2025 20:02, UK
Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli made it into the Champions League record books when he scored for the Gunners against Athletic Bilbao.
Martinelli scored the opening goal of the game as Arsenal beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in Spain to start their Champions League campaign with victory.
Mikel Arteta‘s side made it to the semi-finals of the competition last season before PSG knocked out Arsenal.
The Gunners have never won the competition but Arteta is hoping to change that this season.
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal won their first Champions League match of the season.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
Martinelli has faced increased competition down the left flank and it was Arsenal’s summer arrival Eberechi Eze who got the nod against Athletic Bilbao, but the Brazilian made his mark in the contest when he came on.
Just 36 seconds separated Martinelli replacing Eze, and the former breaking the deadlock in the contest.
Last campaign, only Ademola Lookman scored a goal quicker coming off the bench, just one second faster than Martinelli.
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Meanwhile, Martinelli’s goal was also the fastest scored after coming off the bench in the Champions League.
Martinelli has now been left on the bench for Arsenal’s past two matches, and he will would have wanted to have made an impact off the bench against Athletic Bilbao.
The 24-year-old ran in-behind the opponent’s defence and showed cool composure to slide the ball past the goalkeeper.
Leandro Trossard scored the second goal, also off the bench, and Arteta will be delighted at the impact his substitutions made reaffirming the strong squad depth he now has at his disposal.