Arsenal kick-started their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win over Athletic Club in Bilbao with substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard scoring the goals for the Gunners.
It was a nervy start for the Gunners as they struggled to match with Athletic Club's physicality and were not able to break them down in the first half despite starting new signings like Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze.
However, it was the substitutes who stepped up for Mikel Arteta in the second half to see Arsenal through in a tricky away fixture.
Martinelli, who came on for Eze in the 71st minute and within 39 seconds he handed Arsenal the led and later turned provider when he registered an assist for the second goal scored by Trossard.
Arsenal have invested heavily in new signings this summer as they are leaving no stone unturned to build a strong roster with multiple players fighting for a single position all across the field.
On Tuesday, Arsenal's squad depth played a big role in bailing them out as Martinelli proved to be a menace for Athletic Club's backline.
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The North London club had multiple injury concerns last season and back then they didn't have enough squad depth to compete in all competitions in the latter half of the season. The Gunners have addressed this issue in the summer by signing multiple depth options.
What did Mikel Arteta say about Arsenal's substitutes?
Arteta heaped praise on Martinelli, who changed the game for the Gunners after coming in the second half.
The Spanish manager revealed that the Brazilian looked focused and he could see the hunger in his eyes before coming on in the 71st minute.
“I know how much these players want to play this competition and what it means to them, and every time you name the line-up, you are disappointing a lot of players," Arteta told the reporters at the post-match press conference.
“They know how I feel about them, so they know that when I have to leave a player on the bench or out of the squad, it hurts me.
“But to have that experience, I looked on the bench, I looked at him (Martinelli), and in his eyes I could see that he was ready, Leo as well.
“I was sure that he (Martinelli) was going to react like that. He has such a mentality. He’s a player that is constantly willing to learn and he proved himself. He is very demanding with himself.
“And that’s the moment that hopefully is going to give him the confidence again to go, because he’s an outstanding player, and I am so happy he decided the game with his two actions.”
This game will be a morale booster for Martinelli and also for Trossard after they have been demoted to a rotational role following the arrivals of Madueke, Eze and Gyokeres in attack.
With Athletic Club out of their way, Arsenal and Arteta will now prepare for the Premier League clash against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, September 21.
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