Super-Subs Seal Arsenal’s Win Over Bilbao in Champions League
Arsenal returned from the Basque Country with a valuable 2-0 victory over Spain’s Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday, thanks to goals from substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in the opening round of the new unified group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
With a revamped attacking trio of Viktor Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke, the Gunners—last year’s semifinalists after a memorable run that saw them eliminate defending champions Real Madrid before bowing out to Paris Saint-Germain—struggled to find a breakthrough.
Manager Mikel Arteta turned to his bench, and the changes paid off immediately. Trossard scored with his very first touch in the 72nd minute, before Martinelli sealed the win in the 87th with a surging run and clinical finish.
The match at San Mamés marked Bilbao’s first appearance in Europe’s premier club competition since the 2014/15 season, when their campaign ended in the group stage.
Martinelli’s goal came after a swift counterattack launched from midfield. Receiving a perfectly weighted pass from fellow substitute Trossard, the Brazilian darted into the box and fired past goalkeeper Unai Simón, whose attempted save fell short.
