Athletic vs Arsenal live updates: Martinelli goal gives visitors Champions League lead – The New York Times

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Arsenal are leading 2-0 in their Champions League opener away to Athletic Club.
Chances were at a premium in the first half, with Viktor Gyokeres and Alex Berenguer going closest at either end. Gyokeres suffered a head injury that led to a pretty significant cut, but he was able to continue after being bandaged up.
It was a combination of substitutes — Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli — that helped break the deadlock in the 72nd minute with the Brazilian finishing nicely after streaking through on goal.
86’ Athletic Club 0-1 Arsenal
Athletic concede a free kick after a foul on Rice and the place erupts.
A frustrating evening for Athletic and their fans, with the home side putting in a strong performance despite the score line.
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84’ Athletic Club 0-1 Arsenal
That’s for time wasting after he takes a while to send in a corner.
82’ Athletic Club 0-1 Arsenal
The visitors have had 61 per cent of the ball tonight but so far, there is still just the one goal in this as we enter the last ten minutes.
Can Athletic pinch a goal?
81’ Athletic Club 0-1 Arsenal
Good news for Arsenal is that Merino is patched up and back on his feet but Athletic are having to make a change.
Gomez is unable to continue due to the cut on his head and Vesga also makes way, with Serrano and Rego on.
Meanwhile, Calafiori has taken a kick to the Achilles and is having treatment.
76’ Athletic Club 0-1 Arsenal
We have another unlucky, bloody clash of heads in this match as Unai Gomez and Mikel Merino collide while challenging for a ball.
Both players are being seen to by medical staff.
73’ Athletic Club 0-1 Arsenal
He needed just 36 seconds.
An aerial ball forward from fellow substitute Trossard, Martinelli uses his pace to race away from Paredes after a lovely touch to bring the ball down and shows composure with the finish.
That is a relief for Arsenal, who have been far from their best tonight.
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71’ Athletic Club 0-1 Arsenal
What an impact from the substitute! He fires Arsenal ahead.
70’ Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
And on comes Gabriel Martinelli to offer some more natural wide play.
68’ Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Sancet and Adama Boiro come off, with Berchiche and Guruzeta on to add some fresh energy for the hosts.
64’ Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
On comes Leandro Trossard for Viktor Gyokeres, who persevered this evening despite having that bandage wrapped around his head after the earlier collision.
This will presumably lead to a change of shape for Arsenal…
60’ Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Navarro comes off, Unai Gomez comes on.
We are up to 12 Champions League debuts now for Athletic Club tonight,
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57’ Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
This game is opening up now, as Williams finds himself with a yard of room on the right of the box so gets a shot away.
Raya is able to deal with it easily enough but Athletic are just starting to increase the tempo a little here.
51’ Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
That was a classic bit of centre-forward play from Gyokeres, who holds the ball up well before releasing Madueke.
The wide man has the beating of Boiro for speed and gets a shot away at the near post but Simon is able to punch clear.
Madueke has been Arsenal's most threatening player.
47’ Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
And he should probably do better from there!
The Sweden international was completely unmarked and Rice’s ball was perfect but the header drifts wide of the post.
46’ Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Navarro trips the Arsenal man as he made a cute turn to spring towards the box.
Rice will take it…
Just a thought that hit me when thinking back to the Arsenal vs Athletic game last month, but Rice playing long passes in behind for Saka was a real theme of that game early on.
Rice has been dropping deep like he did in that game, but hasn't really looked to play many of those long balls as often.
Madueke has proven to be a willing runner in behind, so playing into that may be useful for Arsenal.
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Will we see a winner in this 45 minutes?
No changes for either side as we resume the second half.
HT Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
Just one other game going on in the Champions League right now, and there have been goals in that one!
A nightmare start at home for PSV Eindhoven as they find themselves two goals behind against Union St. Gilloise. Promise David and Anouar Ait El Hadj have got the goals for the Belgian side.
HT Athletic Club 0-0 Arsenal
As we have said, not a first half that will last too long in the memory — here is the tale of the tape:

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