An Arsenal Win Made From the Bench – and Inspired by Rugby Union
Arteta’s ‘finishers’ concept works again. Martinelli & Trossard changed the game in Bilbao.
An Arsenal Win Made From the Bench – and Inspired by Rugby Union. Arsenal beat Athletic Club 2-0 in their Champions League opener, thanks to substitute goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. Here’s a detailed match report, tactical breakdown, player ratings, and key takeaways.
A Night of Bench Heroes
Every football match tells a story — and this one was about patience, belief, and the power of substitutes. Arsenal opened their 2025/26 Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory away to Athletic Club, courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, who came off the bench to score and assist one another.
Mikel Arteta’s side faced adversity with injuries to key players, but their ability to adapt and change the game from the bench proved decisive. Arteta even credited his approach to rugby union, where substitutes are called “finishers” — and this match showed why.
Pre-Match Context: A Tough Trip to San Mamés
San Mamés is one of the most intimidating grounds in European football. Athletic Club came into this game unbeaten in six home matches, determined to upset Arsenal’s rhythm.
Arsenal traveled to Bilbao missing captain Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz through injury, with William Saliba only fit enough for the bench. New signing Eberechi Eze started on the left wing ahead of Gabriel Martinelli, while Trossard also began as a substitute.
This raised questions about Arsenal’s attacking firepower — questions that would be emphatically answered later.
First-Half Summary: Caution and Control
The first half was a tactical chess match. Arsenal controlled possession, holding 55% of the ball, but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.
Best chance: Gabriel Jesus forced Unai Simón into a smart save in the 26th minute after a slick one-two with Eze.
Athletic Club threat: Iñaki Williams’ pace caused problems on the counter, forcing Aaron Ramsdale into a near-post stop.
Tactical note: Arsenal’s press was effective in limiting Athletic Club’s buildup, but their own final-third play lacked sharpness.
It was goalless at halftime, with Arsenal needing inspiration.
Second-Half Summary: The Substitutes Take Over
Mikel Arteta made his move in the 54th minute, introducing Martinelli and Trossard together — and within seconds, the game turned on its head.
54’ Goal – Gabriel Martinelli: Just 36 seconds after coming on, Martinelli pounced on a loose ball and calmly slotted past Simón. This was Arsenal’s fastest-ever Champions League goal by a substitute.
78’ Goal – Leandro Trossard: After linking up beautifully with Martinelli, Trossard drilled a low shot into the far corner to double Arsenal’s lead.
From there, Arsenal controlled the tempo, saw out the game professionally, and silenced the Bilbao crowd.
Key Match Statistics
| Statistic | Athletic Club | Arsenal |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 46% | 54% |
| Shots (on target) | 8 (2) | 14 (5) |
| Pass Accuracy | 84% | 88% |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.72 | 1.89 |
| Big Chances Created | 1 | 3 |
| Corners | 5 | 7 |
These numbers tell the story: Arsenal’s efficiency improved dramatically after the substitutions, with both xG and shot quality increasing.
Player Ratings (Selected)
| Player | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Martinelli | ⭐ 8.5/10 | Dream impact off the bench. Scored immediately and added energy to Arsenal’s attack. |
| Leandro Trossard | 8/10 | Cool finish for Arsenal’s second goal, linked up brilliantly with Martinelli. |
| Declan Rice | 7.5/10 | Dominated midfield, intercepted key passes, and distributed well under pressure. |
| Aaron Ramsdale | 7/10 | Made crucial first-half saves to keep Arsenal level. |
| Eberechi Eze | 6/10 | Flashes of skill but struggled to influence play before being subbed. |
Post-Match Analysis: The Rise of the “Finishers”
Mikel Arteta was full of praise for his substitutes, reiterating his rugby-inspired philosophy:
“The finishers are going to be more important this season sometimes than the starters. We can change the game there, especially with the intensity that we play and teams start to drop off.”
This victory highlights Arsenal’s evolving depth. With key players injured, the ability to bring on game-changers like Martinelli and Trossard is a huge asset — especially in Europe, where fine margins often decide games.
Tactical Takeaways
Impact of Substitutions: Martinelli’s direct running stretched Athletic Club’s defense, opening spaces for Trossard.
Midfield Control: Declan Rice and Thomas Partey’s partnership neutralized Athletic Club’s transitions.
Squad Rotation: Arteta trusted his new signings, proving Arsenal’s squad can handle rotation without losing identity.
What This Means for Arsenal
This result sets the tone for Arsenal’s Champions League campaign. Winning away in Bilbao is no small feat, and doing so with a rotated side shows the squad is built for a deep run.
Martinelli’s return to scoring form and Trossard’s reliability as a “super sub” give Arteta more attacking options moving forward.
Final Word
Arsenal’s Champions League journey has begun with a statement: their bench is not a place for disappointment but for match-winners. As Arteta put it, the “finishers” may just be the difference-makers in their push for European glory.