Impact off the bench: Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Goals from substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard sealed the three points late on for Arsenal, who were given a stern assessment by their Spanish opponents.
Martinelli raced clear and finished from Trossard’s pass to break the deadlock before returning the favour to set up the Belgian, whose deflected effort doubled Arsenal’s lead in the 87th minute.
Despite being without Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, Arsenal battled their way to victory to make it two wins from two after returning from the international break.
Here are three things Standard Sport learned from Arsenal’s win in the Basque Country.
Timber makes right-back spot his own
Ben White has endured an injury-hit start to the new campaign, having not played since Arsenal’s opening game of the season against Manchester United.
The right-back’s absence has provided an opportunity for Jurrien Timber, and the Dutchman has impressed, putting his own injury woes behind him.
Timber helped Arsenal to their third clean sheet in four Premier League games at the weekend, and continued his excellent start to the season with an assured performance away to Athletic Club.
Impressive: Jurrien Timber
The 24-year-old bombed forward to support Noni Madueke on the right wing, pressing aggressively to win possession high up the pitch and producing some neat touches to release Madueke into space.
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Arsenal were not at their best against Athletic Club, but they restricted their hosts to just two shots on target to secure another vital clean sheet.
Timber played his part in defence and attack, and has well and truly made the right-back spot his own.
Martinelli offers a timely reminder of his quality
Martinelli is something of a forgotten man these days, with Arsenal having overhauled their attacking options this summer.
All the talk after Arsenal’s victory over Nottingham Forest at the weekend was about the Gunners’ new-look attack, with Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, and Noni Madueke all impressing as they coasted to a 3-0 win at the Emirates.
However, with Eze toiling against Athletic Club, Arteta turned to Martinelli, with the Brazilian duly repaying his manager’s faith with a goal and an assist off the bench.
It’s been quickly forgotten how important Martinelli has been to Arsenal’s success under Arteta, and he delivered a timely reminder of what he offers in the Basque Country.
Eze is technically more astute than Martinelli, but what the Englishman can’t offer is an option in behind.
Martinelli’s searing pace makes him a constant threat, and in the Champions League, where games are more stretched, the 24-year-old can provide a different dimension to Arsenal’s attack.
Arteta’s subs make the difference
Arsenal struggled for long periods with the intensity of Athletic Club’s press without ever truly being troubled by their hosts.
Arteta sensed the game was there for the taking and turned to his bench for answers, bringing on Martinelli and Trossard.
The pair each scored and assisted to hand Arsenal a precious three points and underline the club’s strength in depth.
Arsenal were aggressive in the transfer market as they wanted to add depth to their squad, having struggled to cope with a string of injuries last season.
Against Athletic Club, they were without Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, but still managed to battle to victory.
Trossard and Martinelli started 77 games between them, including 17 in the Champions League, in all competitions last season.
To be able to bring that level of experience and quality off the bench is invaluable and shows just how well Arsenal have done to reinforce their squad over the summer.