They are more important — Arteta reveals how rugby tactic helped Arsenal in Champions League win

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stressed the importance of substitutes after their victory against Athletic Club.

In a thrilling start to their Champions League campaign, Arsenal found their match-winners in the form of substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, and Mikel Arteta highlighted their performance as a component for success. 

What happened

As Pulse Sports reported, Arsenal beat Athletic Club 2-0 thanks to goals from Martinelli and Trossard in the second-half after struggling to break through for swathes in the game.

Both players came off the bench to secure the victory in Bilbao, with Martinelli breaking the deadlock just 36 seconds after his introduction, and Trossard sealing the win with a late strike.

The substitutes saving the day is an interesting development for Arsenal this season, as they invested in depth over the summer. In the past, the Gunners struggled to maintain the same intensity once their starters were substituted or not playing. This season, however, the depth of the squad has made a marked difference.

Martinelli, who has faced a challenging period with fluctuating form and a shift to the bench, showed just how valuable he can be in a crucial moment. Meanwhile, Trossard, who’s been mostly used as a substitute this season, proved his worth with a game-changing performance.

What Arteta said 

Arteta emphasised the importance of his “finishers,” a term he borrowed from rugby, to describe players who come in and change the game’s dynamics. He believes these players are just as crucial as the starters, especially as games wear on and opponents tire.

"They are at least equally important, or more important. We have discussed that,” he said, per the BBC. "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. I'm very pleased to see that."