Mikel Arteta said he was delighted with the impact of his substitutes, after Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard came off the bench to seal a 2-0 win over Athletic Club.
Arsenal toiled for long periods in their Champions League opener, but Martinelli’s goal assisted by Trossard, 36 seconds after the Brazilian’s introduction provided decisive.
Trossard sealed the three points with a deflected effort from inside the area after good work from Martinelli.
Arteta added that he’d spoken to the pair, who have seen their minutes limited this season, before kick-off about their ability to impact the game as finishers.
“Something that we always discuss is that the finishers have to impact the game, and Gabi and Leo came on to make the difference for the team,” said Arteta post-match.
“They was outstanding and the rest of the team as well. In many moments, they were at a very good level.
“When someone is able to win the game in those actions and be so clinical, it's exactly what we need because the threat can come from different ways and different players. I'm very pleased with that.”
When someone is able to win the game in those actions and be so clinical, it's exactly what we need because the threat can come from different ways and different players
The Arsenal boss continued, saying that it was important Martinelli and Trossard felt connected to the project despite a summer spending spree that saw Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke come in to provide competition out wide.
“It means that [Gabi and Leo] are connected and they feel that they are really, really important. We have discussed that a lot. We're going to need that.”
Arteta also praised the impact of summer signings Christian Norgaard and Piero Hincapie, who both came on in stoppage time to make their Arsenal debuts.
“Piero [Hincapie] comes in and plays five minutes and so does Christian [Norgaard] and it's the best five minutes of their lives. That's the spirit that we need amongst the squad. If we have everybody at that level, we'll win a lot of games.”
After starting their Champions League campaign with three points, Arsenal now turn their attention to this weekend’s game with Manchester City.
