Overview
- Gabriel Martinelli scored 36 seconds after coming on in the 72nd minute, then set up Leandro Trossard for a deflected second in the 87th as Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory at Athletic Club.
- Mikel Arteta praised the impact of his “finishers,” saying he could see Martinelli was ready, as the manager’s substitutions decisively shifted a tight game.
- Arsenal’s summer depth was on show with five recent signings in the XI and late debuts for Christian Norgaard and Piero Hincapie.
- With Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard sidelined, Noni Madueke was lively on the right, Viktor Gyokeres continued after a head cut, and Eberechi Eze was withdrawn shortly before the breakthrough.
- The result builds on a 3-0 league win over Nottingham Forest and precedes Sunday’s home match against Manchester City.