Arsenal Make Champions League History With Victory Over Athletic Club
Chasing their first major European trophy under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal began their 2025/26 Champions League campaign with a 2–0 away win against Spanish side Athletic Club. Second-half goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard secured the win at the Estadio de San Mames on Tuesday evening. But beyond the routine nature of the victory, the match also saw Arsenal etch their name into Champions League history with a new record that sets them apart.
Following a summer of heavy investment — with high-profile signings like Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, and Martin Zubimendi — Arsenal’s first-half display failed to produce a breakthrough. It wasn’t until Arteta reshuffled his entire front three in the second half that the game turned. Martinelli, introduced in the 71st minute for Eze, made an immediate impact. Latching onto a lofted pass from Trossard, he calmly slotted past Unai Simon to break the deadlock. Just minutes before full time, Trossard added a goal of his own to seal the result.
Arsenal Set Champions League Record Against Spanish Sides
The win was historic not just for the three points, but for what it represented in European football lore: Arsenal became the first team in European Cup or Champions League history to win six consecutive matches against Spanish opposition.
This remarkable run spans two seasons and includes notable victories over La Liga powerhouses like Real Madrid and Sevilla. The last time Arsenal fell to a Spanish team in the Champions League was nearly a decade ago, when Luis Enrique’s Barcelona knocked them out in the 2015/16 Round of 16. However, it’s worth noting Arsenal spent six seasons outside the competition between 2017 and 2023.
Arsenal’s Six-Match Spanish Win Streak:
Date Match Result
16/09/25 Athletic Club vs Arsenal 0–2
16/04/25 Real Madrid vs Arsenal 1–2
08/04/25 Arsenal vs Real Madrid 3–0
29/01/25 Girona vs Arsenal 1–2
08/11/23 Arsenal vs Sevilla 2–0
24/10/23 Sevilla vs Arsenal 1–2
The run began in the 2023/24 group stage, when Arsenal beat Europa League specialists Sevilla both home and away. They then took down Girona in a tight 2–1 win, with goals from Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri.
Their most impressive results, however, came against Real Madrid in the 2024/25 knockout stages. Arsenal stunned the footballing world with a 3–0 home win — highlighted by two sensational free-kicks from Declan Rice — before sealing the tie with a last-minute winner from Martinelli in the return leg at the Bernabéu.
What’s Next?
Arsenal, whose best Champions League finish remains their 2–1 loss to Barcelona in the 2005/06 final, will host Greek side Olympiacos next. But all eyes will be on Tuesday, 21 October, when they face Atletico Madrid at the Emirates. That fixture presents the opportunity to extend their record-breaking run to seven consecutive victories over Spanish clubs — a feat few would have predicted just a few years ago.
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