Martinelli & Trossard Fire Arsenal to Victory at Athletic Club
Arsenal’s Champions League opener in Bilbao turned into a night that highlighted the power of squad depth and the importance of substitutes. In fact, the game was decided not by those who started, but by the so-called “finishers” who came on to change everything. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard both stepped off the bench to score and assist each other, sealing a 2–0 win over Athletic Club and giving Mikel Arteta plenty to smile about.
For much of the evening at San Mamés, Arsenal were locked in a tense battle. Athletic pushed them hard, feeding off the energy of their home crowd and making it difficult for the Gunners to break through. With several key men missing — Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz among them — the visitors leaned on new signings and rotated starters. But even with the likes of Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze trying to find openings, clear chances were limited.
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Then came the changes. Martinelli, who has been struggling for form in recent months, was sent on in place of Eze. Barely half a minute later, he was racing through on goal after latching onto a clever ball from Trossard. His first touch looked heavy, but he recovered brilliantly, slipping the ball under goalkeeper Unai Simón to put Arsenal ahead. It was not just a goal, but a statement — Arsenal’s fastest substitute strike in Champions League history, arriving just 36 seconds after he stepped on the pitch.
And it didn’t stop there. Martinelli quickly turned provider, combining beautifully with Trossard, who coolly finished to double the lead. The two substitutes had flipped the script completely, proving exactly why Arteta has been talking about his “finishers.” Borrowing the term from rugby union, he stressed after the match that players coming off the bench could be even more decisive than those in the starting XI. That philosophy was on full display in Bilbao.
Martinelli’s journey made the moment even sweeter. The Brazilian winger has faced criticism after a dip in form, even losing his place to new arrival Eze. His confidence had taken a hit, but Arteta never lost faith in him. Seeing him score and then celebrate with teammates — who pointed to his name on the back of his shirt — showed just how much he is valued inside the dressing room. Arteta praised Martinelli’s attitude and resilience, calling him an “outstanding player” who fully deserved this moment.
For Trossard, too, the impact was familiar. Since joining Arsenal, he has been involved in more goals as a substitute than any other Premier League player. His knack for influencing games late on has become a trademark, and once again it was decisive.
In the end, Arsenal’s victory wasn’t just about three points. It was about depth, resilience, and the belief that no player is simply a backup. On a night when their hosts gave everything, Arsenal found their answers on the bench — and started their European campaign with exactly the kind of statement win they had been looking for.
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