1.96 points per game
Arsenal put in a determined effort to secure all three points in Bilbao on Tuesday night, and they will be thrilled with their vital win in the opening match of the new Champions League season. Despite Athletic Club creating several chances, the breakthrough arrived in the 72nd minute when substitute Gabriel Martinelli slipped past the defense to net the opener. Just 15 minutes later, a deflected effort from Leandro Trossard doubled Arsenal’s advantage, sealing their victory.
Not only was this a significant win for the North London side, but it also marked a milestone for manager Mikel Arteta. This victory was Arteta’s 25th game in the Champions League, and he now holds a record of 15 wins, four draws, and just six losses since taking charge in September 2023. How does this compare to his peers and, more notably, to Arsenal’s most legendary manager?
It’s no surprise that very few managers have experienced the level of stability that Arteta has had at Arsenal over the past few seasons, which is why so few have coached as many Champions League games as he has. When we filter for coaches who have managed at least 15 Champions League matches and examine their points-per-game averages, Arteta ranks third with an impressive 1.96 points per game. Only Simone Inzaghi (2.09 points per game) and Carlo Ancelotti (2.22) have performed better during this period.
Interestingly, Arteta’s results in Europe also stack up well against those of Arsène Wenger. Although many fans regard Wenger as the club’s best-ever manager, his first 25 Champions League matches with Arsenal were quite challenging, as he managed only eight wins, six draws, and six losses, resulting in an average of 1.60 points per game. Thus, Arteta has had a stronger start in the Champions League compared to Wenger’s early tenure in the late 1990s.
However, it’s important to note that during Wenger’s time at Highbury, Arsenal did not possess the same financial clout that Arteta enjoys today. While the Gunners have always been a significant club, their squad cost more than fifteen times that of their opponents in this match, highlighting the financial dominance they now hold over European rivals—a luxury Wenger did not have. Nonetheless, Arteta’s achievements should not be diminished. While Arsenal may not appear as front-runners in this season’s competition, they certainly possess the potential to compete as long as their Spanish manager maintains the success he has gained in his first 25 Champions League matches.
