Five things we learned from the midweek Champions League action, following the opening round of the 2025/26 league phase.
Arsenal additions could make the difference
Arsenal invested heavily in the summer with Mikel Arteta keen to add both depth and quality to his squad. The Gunners fell short in the Premier League and Europe last season, ending a third consecutive campaign as league runners-up and bowing out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage.
Injuries hindered Arsenal, but their new additions look to have safeguarded the squad. Even in the absence of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Martin Odegaard, Arsenal still began with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli on the bench.
A lesson in how to make an impact 👨🏫
Starring: Gabriel Martinelli 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/r5BCKFuOpn
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 18, 2025
The ability to change ensured Arsenal left Athletic Bilbao with three points, as Trossard and Martinelli combined for both goals in a 2-0 win. With Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, and Viktor Gyokeres all added, Arteta has the luxury to inject freshness from the bench when required.
Liverpool can’t keep relying on ‘Slot time’
Six straight games. Six late winners. Liverpool’s late shows have seen ‘Slot time’ become a narrative, with the Reds having now decided each of their opening six games in the final 10 minutes. Virgil van Dijk’s 92nd-minute header handed Liverpool a 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid at Anfield, after the hosts had surrendered an early 2-0 lead.
The Premier League champions have shown fine spirit to keep going this season, ensuring a flawless record despite not being at their best. While commendable, their late shows do not appear sustainable over the course of a campaign, while Liverpool have also now blown three two-goal leads this season before rallying to win. Slot has work to do, despite their perfect start to the season.
Another late winner ⌚ pic.twitter.com/pILbMomrzk
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 17, 2025
Holders send a statement
‘We can do it again,’ Luis Enrique insisted ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s opener this week. Only Real Madrid’s historic three-peat side of 2016 to 2018 has ever won the Champions League in consecutive campaigns, though PSG appear primed to push hard to match that feat.
The European champions waltzed to a 4-0 win over Atalanta in their opening fixture, overcoming a potential banana skin with ease. Their win came despite the absence of talisman Ousmane Dembele and the brilliant Desire Doue, showcasing the depth of options at Enrique’s disposal. PSG’s humbling in the Club World Cup final might have had some doubting their ability to go back-to-back, but the Parisians remain the team to beat.
𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐙 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐒 pic.twitter.com/8qL5o3i4EV
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_espanol) September 18, 2025
Rashford proves a point
Marcus Rashford needed to get out of Manchester United, and after a six-month loan at Aston Villa, the forward is relaunching his career in Spain.
Rashford returned to English shores this week as Barcelona took on Newcastle United, and departed with his name in the headlines for all of the right reasons. Two brilliant goals sealed a 2-1 win for the Spanish side, as Rashford opened his account for the Catalans. This was Rashford at his best, dangerous, direct, and threatening.
1 – Marcus Rashford ranked first or joint first for Barcelona for shots (6), touches in the opposition box (10), dribbles (5) and possession won (6) tonight – he was the first Barca player to produce those numbers in a #UCL match since Lionel Messi back in 2015. Flourishing. pic.twitter.com/q0rbn4VyPU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 18, 2025
England teammate Anthony Gordon was certainly impressed, calling Rashford ‘one of the best in the world’ when in this form.
Vlahovic will have suitors as contract ticks down
Despite a desire from Juventus to offload Dusan Vlahovic in the summer, there were few takers for the Serbian. The high wages Juventus are keen to remove from their wage bill proved problematic, leading to less interest than anticipated.
Vlahovic has refused to sulk despite his diminishing status at Juventus and has started the season on fire. After two goals in limited minutes in Serie A, he came off the bench in midweek to star.
The 25-year-old scored twice and created a late equaliser, as Juventus fought back to earn a thrilling 4-4 draw with Borussia Dortmund.
🔥 Dušan Vlahović is on fire:
⚽️ 4 goals
🅰️ 1 assist
📊 in just 5 gamesSilencing the critics loud and clear 💪⚪️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/5QuTgGpmlE
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) September 17, 2025
He’s now averaged a goal or assist every 28.4 minutes in all competitions this season. Vlahovic hasn’t always convinced in Turin, but, available on a free transfer at the end of the campaign, expect suitors to emerge.
Read – Champions League Team of the Week: Rashford, Vlahovic, Kane
See more – Champions League Awards: Juve’s super sub and Rashford’s redemption
