Martinelli’s late thunder seals Bilbao win as Arteta rebrands subs as finishers
Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with a win in Bilbao.
Within 36 seconds of coming on, Gabriel Martinelli fired Arsenal ahead.
The Brazilian sealed the impact with a burst that left Unai Simon beaten at the near post.
Arteta praised Martinelli and the squad, saying the group spirit carried them through.
He also explained his rugby rebranding, calling substitutes finishers instead of subs.
The game was still 0-0 at San Mamés when Martinelli arrived as a substitute.
With his first touch he sprinted, then converted a precise finish to put Arsenal in front in the 72nd minute.
Moments later he played the pass that set up Leandro Trossard for the 87th minute clincher.
Defensively, Arsenal pressed Bilbao high and rotated their buildup to keep the tempo sharp.
The fullbacks provided width, feeding Martinelli’s pace and creating space for smart midfield pivots.
Meanwhile Arteta reminded critics that bench energy wins games, and that no player should be left on the bench for long.
Rivals like Tottenham, Manchester United, and even Manchester City will note the finishers formula and worry.
Arsenal showed a clear pattern of pressing in unison, quick transitions, and fluid build up from the back.
That cohesion, plus Martinelli’s speed and Trossard’s timing, kept Bilbao uncomfortable all night.
The win should sting the neighbours and remind the league that this is a team with momentum.
Indeed, the finishers approach marks a new edge in Arteta’s evolving plan and tactical vocabulary.
As the engine hums, the North London mood swells with cautious optimism and a touch of swagger.
Spurs, United, and City will be watching closely to see if Arsenal can sustain this intensity.
In Bilbao, Arsenal demonstrated a practical blend of pressing shape, rotation in buildup, and fullback caution that still invites critique from the purists.
But the finishers idea gave them a sharper late punch and a result that will travel back to the London airports with confidence.
TLDR
- Gabriel Martinelli changed the game within minutes of his introduction.
- Arteta’s finishers concept rebrands substitutes and energises the squad.
- Arsenal’s pressing, build up rotations, and full back interplay earned a deserving win in Bilbao.
Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal