Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised Gabriel Martinelli after the forward came off the bench to score within seconds of his introduction during the Gunners’ 2-0 Champions League win over Athletic Club on Tuesday night.
The Brazilian found the net just 36 seconds after entering the pitch, becoming Arsenal’s fastest-ever substitute goalscorer in the competition.
His strike, along with Leandro Trossard’s late effort, ensured the Premier League side began their European campaign with maximum points at San Mames.
Substitutes make the difference
Arteta opted to start with summer arrivals Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke in attack, but it was the substitutes who proved decisive.
Martinelli opened the scoring in the 72nd minute before turning provider for Trossard’s goal, as the pair combined twice to secure victory.
Speaking after the match, Arteta explained that he sensed Martinelli was ready to make an immediate impact.
“I looked on the bench, I looked at him, and in his eyes I could see that he [Martinelli] was ready, Leo as well,” the Spaniard said.
“That’s going to help us a lot for the future, it is going to dictate the quality of our season. The finishers are going to be more important this year than the starters. I love it. That’s the attitude I need from all of us.”
History made in Champions League
Martinelli’s strike not only broke the deadlock but also set a club record, while he and Trossard became the first Arsenal pair to assist each other’s goals as substitutes in the Champions League.
Arteta admitted that leaving players out of his starting lineup remains a difficult task, especially in such a prestigious competition.
“It’s always very difficult emotionally to leave players out. I know how much they want to play in this competition and what it means to them.
“Every time you do a line-up, you are disappointing a lot of players. It hurts me,” he added.
Arsenal now shift focus to domestic matters, returning to the Emirates for a Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday.
