Super Subs Sink the Basques
You've got to hand it to Mikel Arteta — the man's substitutions are finally working like clockwork, which is a pleasant change from watching him shuffle the deck and somehow pull out a joker. Against Athletic Bilbao in their so-called Cauldron, our Spanish gaffer brewed up a late cocktail of Martinelli and Trossard, and the Basques didn't know what had hit them.
Cagey First Half: All Noise, No Nibbles
The locals had been starved of Champions League football for 11 years, and they celebrated by screaming their throats raw before kick-off. The noise was fierce, but the action wasn't. For the opening 20 minutes, Athletic puffed out their chests without ever troubling David Raya, who could've been sipping Rioja for all the work he had.
Our lot looked a little too respectful — Timber, Madueke and Eze stitched together the neatest move of the half, only for Eze to be snuffed out by a heroic last-ditch block. Meanwhile, Gyökeres — patched up like a prizefighter after clattering into Gabriel — nearly broke the deadlock with a diving header that missed by inches. Instead, the half ended with Bilbao fans convincing themselves they were on top. Cute.
Super Subs: 36 Seconds of Mayhem
Then Arteta went to his bench, and for once, it didn't feel like he was throwing darts blindfolded. Trossard replaced Gyökeres, Martinelli replaced Eze, and within 36 seconds, the pair had turned Basque defiance into Basque despair.
A little flick from Trossard and suddenly Martinelli was off, galloping 50 yards like he had San Mamés to himself. One cool finish later and we had the lead — another Spanish scalp for Gabi, who now seems to make a habit of breaking Iberian hearts, whether it's Sevilla, Madrid or Bilbao.
And just when the locals thought it couldn't get worse, the double act returned. Martinelli skinned his man down the flank, teed up Trossard, and the Belgian's finish — with a helpful deflection — dribbled in off the post. Job done, points in the bag, and history made: six wins on the trot against Spanish opposition in Europe, a record no one else can boast.
What's Next: City Looms Large
Clean sheet still intact, no goals conceded from open play this season, and a Champions League opener ticked off. Not bad for a night that started so nervy. But the celebrations can't last long — next up it's Manchester City at the Emirates.
If Arteta's touchline alchemy can repeat itself against Pep, then maybe, just maybe, this isn't the same old Arsenal story. For now, though, let's enjoy the sight of Martinelli and Trossard showing that the bench isn't always a graveyard. Sometimes, it's the difference between good teams and great ones.
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