"In a game with few clear chances, second-half substitutes Martinelli and Trossard came up with the goods late on, earning the Gunners a hard-fought three points on the road. While Bilbao started the more brightly at San Mames, it was Arsenal who were presented with the best opportunity of the first half when Viktor Gyokeres met Jurrien Timber's precise cross with a diving header in the 30th minute, but the ball sailed just wide."
"But when Mikel Arteta turned to his bench to make an impact, the substitutes duly obliged. Martinelli opened the scoring after an intricate flick from Trossard set him free from the halfway line, with the Brazilian slotting past Unai Simon in the 72nd minute, just 36 seconds after coming on. In the 87th minute, Martinelli repaid the favour, assisting Trossard by cutting the ball back from the byline, with the Belgian's subsequent strike taking a fortuitous deflection over a helpless Simon."
"Even though it was the super-subs who made the difference, Declan Rice was at the centre for the Gunners once again as he registered the most chances created of any other player (three), and joint-most passes in the final third (15). The England international was also integral in driving Arsenal into the danger areas, recording the most final third entries (10) of any outfield player."
Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard scored late in the second half after both entered as substitutes. Viktor Gyokeres had Arsenal's best first-half chance with a diving header that went just wide. Arsenal recorded only four first-half shots, their fewest opening-half total since December. Martinelli scored 36 seconds after coming on following a Trossard flick, and later assisted Trossard whose strike deflected over Unai Simon. Declan Rice created the most chances (three), made joint-most final-third passes (15), and led final-third entries (10). Arsenal became the first team in European Cup/Champions League history to beat Spanish sides in six consecutive matches.
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