Champions League Tuesday: Arsenal and Tottenham Secure Opening Wins

Le UEFA Champions League returned last night with two Premier League clubs in action. Arsenal travelled to Spain to face Athletic Club, while Tottenham Hotspur hosted Villarreal in north London. Both sides started their campaigns with victories, achieved in contrasting styles but equally valuable in their quest for progression.

Arsenal’s Substitutes Seal Victory in Bilbao

Athletic Club 0–2 Arsenal

Arsenal displayed both patience and quality at the Estadio de San Mamés, with substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard delivering decisive goals in the final quarter. The result gave the Gunners a sixth successive Champions League victory over LaLiga opposition.

Athletic Club, competing in the tournament for the first time since the 2014/15 season, were spurred on by a passionate crowd. They launched the first three attempts of the contest as Arsenal adjusted to the intimidating atmosphere. Remarkably, not one player in Athletic’s starting XI had played in the Champions League before, making them the first Spanish side since Real Madrid in 1995 to field an entire line-up of debutants. Arsenal’s greater experience told as the game progressed, with control gradually wrestled back while counter-attacks were limited.

Noni Madueke again impressed on the right wing, providing more evidence that he is far from just a back-up option for Bukayo Saka. His relentless surges caused constant problems, forcing the hosts into defensive reshuffles before the final half-hour. In contrast, Eberechi Eze was less influential, and although he combined smoothly with Riccardo Calafiori at times, Arsenal did not fully utilise his creativity. Manager Mikel Arteta introduced Martinelli in the 71st minute, replacing Eze, and the decision immediately changed the game.

Just 36 seconds after coming on, Martinelli broke the deadlock. A lightning counter-attack began with goalkeeper Unai Simón’s long clearance. Cristhian Mosquera won the aerial battle, Rice flicked on, and Trossard diverted into Martinelli’s path. Sprinting into space, the Brazilian raced through and calmly slotted beyond Simón. The strike became the fastest goal ever scored by an Arsenal substitute in the Champions League.

Martinelli and Trossard combined again for the second. Fifteen minutes later, Martinelli darted past Andoni Gorosabel on the left and cut the ball back to Trossard inside the box. The Belgian’s exquisite first touch killed the pace of the pass before he drove into the roof of the net. It was the first time two Arsenal substitutes had assisted each other in the competition, evidence of the squad depth now available to Arteta.

The victory was an ideal opening for Arsenal’s group stage campaign. Speaking to the club’s official website, Arteta said: “I’m very happy. It’s an incredible place to play football, and the atmosphere is one of the best I’ve seen. We knew it was going to be difficult, so we had to earn the right to win. Our finishers came on and made the difference.”

For the manager, born in nearby San Sebastián, the triumph had added meaning. Arsenal also became the first team in Champions League history to record six consecutive wins over Spanish opponents. In addition, they joined Liverpool (1983/84 European Cup) and Manchester United (2024/25 Europa League) as the only English sides to beat Athletic Club away from home.

Tottenham Profit from Goalkeeper Error

Tottenham Hotspur 1–0 Villarreal

In north London, Tottenham made a winning return to the Champions League thanks to a blunder from Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior. Inside four minutes, the Brazilian turned a simple cross into his own net, handing Thomas Frank victory in his first game as a manager in the competition.

The match marked a new era for Spurs following the departures of Ange Postecoglou and Daniel Levy. The return to Europe’s top stage created an atmosphere of nervous anticipation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The opening goal arrived at three minutes and eight seconds, the earliest Spurs have ever scored in the Champions League. Pedro Porro released Lucas Bergvall on the right, and the midfielder surged forward before attempting to pick out Richarlison. His cross was overhit, yet when Luiz Junior collected, he inexplicably fumbled the ball backwards into his own net.

The contest soon became disjointed. Referee Rade Obrenovic brandished four yellow cards in a six-minute spell around the half-hour mark, drawing complaints from both sets of players. Home supporters voiced frustration when Richarlison’s penalty appeals were ignored just before the interval.

Villarreal improved after half-time, determined to recover from their nightmare start. Former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pépé threatened persistently on the right wing, while Spurs struggled for attacking rhythm. Frank introduced João Palhinha in midfield to add stability, but the visitors continued to push forward.

Tottenham’s defence, however, stood firm. Villarreal finished without forcing a single save from Guglielmo Vicario, evidence of improved organisation under Frank. Central defender Micky van de Ven was outstanding, making 11 recoveries, four clearances, and three tackles. His pace thwarted several counter-attacks, including a vital late challenge on Georges Mikautadze.

Speaking to Amazon Prime, van de Ven admitted: “It was a tough one tonight. We didn’t play very well, but we got the three points, and that’s most important.”

Frank, while pleased with the victory, highlighted the need for progress: “I learnt that the team works very hard and our defensive organisation is strong. Offensively we need to get better. It’s also about relationships. For Djed Spence and Xavi Simons, it was only their second game together. They played too short and into feet too often.”

Spurs reached the competition by winning last season’s Europa League. Their success against Villarreal extended their winning run in European football to five matches, their best sequence since 2013/14. While the performance was uneven, Frank could take satisfaction from a clean sheet and a defensive display far stronger than the calamitous efforts under his predecessor.

English Clubs Lay Down Early Markers

Tuesday night demonstrated two different approaches from Premier League clubs in Europe. Arsenal combined patience and depth with ruthless finishing to subdue Athletic Club in Bilbao. Tottenham, by contrast, capitalised on an early gift and defended resolutely to edge Villarreal.

Both outcomes underline the strength of English sides in this season’s Champions League. Arsenal’s ability to bring on quality substitutes like Martinelli and Trossard shows their depth, while Spurs’ improved organisation provides a foundation to build upon.

Momentum is vital in the group stage, and these opening wins offer a strong platform. Arsenal will look to involve creative players like Eze and Calafiori more consistently, while Tottenham will hope to develop attacking fluency among new signings.

With six Premier League clubs competing, early victories send a message across Europe. Arsenal’s record-breaking streak against Spanish sides and Tottenham’s fastest Champions League goal highlight the capacity of English teams to make headlines. As the campaign unfolds, both managers will target improvements, but crucially, both clubs have begun their European journeys with valuable wins.