Mikel Arteta earns praise for his substitutions against Bilbao

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·16. September 2025

Mikel Arteta earns praise for his substitutions against Bilbao

Mikel Arteta has received praise for his tactical substitutions after Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard came off the bench to secure Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Bilbao in the Champions League.

The Gunners approached the match determined to make a strong impression and earn their first win in the competition this season. They applied consistent pressure throughout the fixture, but Bilbao, determined to protect their home ground, displayed resilient defending in the first half. Their organisation and determination initially frustrated Arsenal’s attempts to break through, leaving the contest finely balanced.

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Impact of the Substitutions

Despite Bilbao’s resistance, Arsenal’s persistence was ultimately rewarded through decisive contributions from the substitutes. The goals, both scored and assisted by Martinelli and Trossard, demonstrated the value of squad depth and highlighted Arteta’s ability to adjust the game at the right moment. Much has been made of the strength of Arsenal’s squad this season, and this encounter served as evidence of how those options can be used effectively to unlock difficult situations.

The result was not simply a win, but also a statement of intent. By turning to the bench at the crucial moment, Arteta ensured that his team retained their attacking intensity and capitalised on their opportunities. The manner in which the substitutes combined to create and convert chances reinforced the sense that Arsenal are capable of sustaining their ambitions in Europe.

(Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Expert Analysis

Ally McCoist expressed his admiration for Arsenal’s display of quality when the breakthrough came. Speaking on BBC Live, he said, “That’s all about Martinelli. Rice gives him the ball really early and he uses raw, aggressive pace to get by Gorosabel and once he does, he picks out Trossard. You think Trossard is going to hit it earlier but he buys himself a bit of time and it comes off Vivian as it goes past the keeper. The substitutions have worked out perfectly for Arteta.”

This assessment underlined the decisive impact of the changes. What appeared to be a match heading for frustration was instead transformed by the dynamism introduced from the bench. It was a game where intervention was required and Arteta made the correct decisions to ensure Arsenal achieved the desired outcome.

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