In years past, **Arsenal’s**European nights were often defined by their first eleven. If certain players were missing or misfiring, the results suffered. At San Mamés, against an Athletic Bilbao side who defended with stubbornness and intensity, Arsenal showed a different face. The 2–0 victory came not from the expected stars but from players who, at various stages, were thought of as deputies.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard came off the bench to score and assist each other, while Cristhian Mosquera and Noni Madueke played important roles in keeping Arsenal composed and dangerous throughout. For Arteta, this was not just a win. It was a demonstration of a squad that now looks capable of surviving and thriving across competitions.
Mosquera: Calm Beyond His Years
It is easy to forget that Cristhian Mosquera is still just 21. Thrown into the cauldron of Anfield earlier in the season, he has looked increasingly assured with every passing game. Against Bilbao, his composure stood out. The San Mamés crowd is one of the most intimidating in European football, yet Mosquera handled it with poise, reading danger early and positioning himself smartly to cut out threats before they escalated.
Arteta has already praised his rapid adaptation to English football. What makes Mosquera valuable is not just his defensive instincts but his ability to play with the ball. He passes with confidence, breaking lines rather than just shifting possession sideways. In Bilbao, he helped Arsenal play out under pressure, resisting the temptation to go long and instead keeping the team in control.
For a squad often criticised in the past for lacking depth at centre-back, Mosquera is evidence of progress. He looks ready, even when the spotlight is harsh.
Martinelli: Instant Impact
When Martinelli came on midway through the second half, Arsenal were still searching for a way to break down Bilbao. Within a minute, he found it. A flick from Leandro Trossard landed kindly, and Martinelli pounced with the sharpness that has long been his trademark. It was the kind of explosive entrance that changes the mood of a game.
Martinelli has often been a starter, but his role this season may fluctuate with new arrivals like Eberechi Eze demanding minutes on the left. What he showed in Spain is that he can be devastating even when used as a substitute. Few defences can cope with his pace and directness when legs are tiring. That flexibility is vital for Arsenal, who will need to manage workloads across a campaign that could stretch to 60 matches.
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For Martinelli himself, it is a reminder that his influence does not depend solely on starting every game. Even off the bench, he remains one of Arsenal’s sharpest weapons.
Trossard: The Professional Finisher
If Martinelli provided the breakthrough, Trossard supplied the control. His finish late in the game sealed the win, but his influence was broader than that. Trossard has a knack for arriving in the right place at the right time, a skill that can make the difference in tight European fixtures.
He is not as quick as Martinelli or as flashy as Madueke, but his intelligence makes him invaluable. He drifts into spaces that defenders overlook, linking midfield to attack and keeping Arsenal unpredictable. Against Bilbao, he not only scored but also set up Martinelli’s opener. That combination of reliability and end product makes him one of Arteta’s most trusted players, regardless of whether he starts or comes from the bench.
Trossard’s role highlights a crucial difference between this Arsenal squad and those of previous years. Depth is not just about numbers. It is about having players who can deliver in different scenarios. Trossard brings experience and calm when the game requires it.
Madueke: Growing in Confidence
Noni Madueke may not have scored or assisted in Bilbao, but his influence was felt. Stationed on the right, he drove at defenders, forced fouls, and stretched the game in ways that created openings for others. His willingness to take risks unsettled Bilbao’s back line, drawing attention away from Arsenal’s other attackers.
Madueke’s development has been one of the most encouraging stories of the early season. Initially seen as a rotation option, he has begun to look like a genuine starter. His confidence was evident again in Spain, where he took responsibility in possession and looked eager to make things happen. Even when the end product was not there, his presence changed the game’s dynamics.
For Arsenal, this kind of growth is crucial. Depth is not only about experienced professionals like Trossard but also about young players pushing to expand their roles. Madueke is doing just that.
A Squad Built for the Demands Ahead
What ties these stories together is the sense that Arsenal no longer rely on one or two stars to drag them through. At different moments this season, it has been Zubimendi, Gyökeres, Eze, Madueke, Martinelli, or Trossard making the difference. Against Bilbao, it was the substitutes. Against Forest, it was the midfield.
This variety of contributors is exactly what Arsenal lacked in previous campaigns, when injuries or fatigue often derailed their momentum. Now, Arteta can rotate without fear of the team’s level dropping. That is the hallmark of a side built for both a title race and a Champions League run.
Depth as Arsenal’s Biggest Strength
Arsenal’s win over Athletic Bilbao will be remembered for the goals from the bench, but the bigger story was what it said about the squad. Mosquera showed maturity in defence, Madueke continued his rise on the right, and Martinelli and Trossard reminded everyone that game-changers can come from anywhere in this team.
If the past few years were about building a strong starting eleven, this season is about proving Arsenal can go toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite thanks to their depth. In Bilbao, that depth made the difference. It might make the difference all season long.