Arsenal's 'rugby inspired finishers' shine in Champions League victory
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is crediting his substitutes, or "finishers," with a crucial 2-0 Champions League win over Athletic Club, a concept he says he adopted from rugby union. With Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard both scoring and assisting one another off the bench, Arteta's squad depth proved to be the difference-maker in a hard-fought match.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes that his "finishers" could be more important than his starters this season, a philosophy he says he has borrowed from rugby union. This idea was put to the test—and validated—in the Gunners' 2-0 victory against Spanish side Athletic Club in their opening Champions League game.
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The win was sealed by two players who came off the bench: Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. Martinelli, who has had a difficult run of form and was recently dropped, scored just 36 seconds after entering the game, making it Arsenal's fastest-ever substitute goal in the Champions League. Trossard, who has been limited to substitute appearances this season, also found the back of the net, and the two players assisted each other's goals, proving their value as impact players.
Arteta said he was "very pleased" with their performance, acknowledging the emotional difficulty of leaving key players on the bench. He noted that he saw in their eyes that they were "ready" to make an impact. "The finishers are going to be more important this season sometimes than the starters," Arteta said. "We can change the game there, especially with the intensity that we play and teams start to drop off."
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The power of squad depth
Arsenal has had to rely on its depth early in the season, with key players like Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz out with injuries. The win against Athletic Club saw five of the team's new additions starting the match, showing the importance of a deep and talented roster.
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For Martinelli, the goal was a much-needed boost of confidence after a difficult period. Arteta expressed his admiration for the 24-year-old Brazilian. "I adore Gabi," he said. "His attitude, his commitment, his positivity, what he is willing to do for the team."
Trossard, meanwhile, has a history of making an impact as a substitute. Since his Arsenal debut in January 2023, he has been involved in more goals off the bench than any other Premier League player, with a total of 14 goal contributions (10 goals, 4 assists).
The celebration following Martinelli's goal showed the team's camaraderie, with players running to celebrate with him. Arteta sees this spirit as genuine and a vital component of the team's culture. "That's why I really enjoy every single day working with them," he said. "The way they look after each other is genuine. They really want the best for each other." This belief in the squad and its collective strength will be a key factor for Arsenal as they navigate the challenges of the new Champions League format this season.
