Arsenal Triumph Fueled by Bench Players and Rugby Union Influence

Arsenal's manager believes that substitute players in his squad could be even more crucial than first-team players in the current campaign—a philosophy he reveals adopting from the sport of rugby.

The Brazilian winger and The Belgian forward both found the net—assisting each other—after entering as second-half substitutes to secure a 2-0 victory for the London club against Athletic Club in their opening UEFA elite competition fixture.

Challenging Period and Managerial Trust

Martinelli has faced a difficult spell recently, struggling for consistency and being relegated to the bench, with recent acquisition Eberechi Eze chosen on the left flank.

The experienced attacker, meanwhile, has made only three substitute appearances so far after featuring 56 times last campaign.

The Gunners' boss emphasized that starting on the bench does not reduce a player's importance, citing similarities with the rugby concept of "finishers".

"These players are just as crucial, or even more important," he stated. "Substitutes will prove more important in the coming months sometimes than the starters."

Team Rotation and Injury Absences

Arsenal find themselves missing key players such as Martin Odegaard, the England international, and Kai Havertz due to injuries, while William Saliba was deemed ready enough for the bench.

As a result, the manager to turn to new signings earlier than planned, with five of them starting against the Bilbao-based outfit.

Arteta confessed that leaving players out is emotionally challenging, but praised the impact of the duo after disappointing them.

"Very pleased because it is hard on a personal level to leave players out," he expressed. "Each occasion you announce the starting eleven, you are disappointing a group of players."

Squad Unity and Confidence Boost

The Brazilian, who has been a essential component under Arteta, faced a loss of sharpness that led to fan debate about his place in the side.

He was conscious about external opinions and it dented his self-belief, despite scoring double figures across all competitions—including a standout strike in the Champions League last eight clash against Real Madrid.

Arteta consistently shown faith him in big games and was delighted to see the player play a decisive role in this victory.

"He fully deserves it," said Arteta. "I adore Gabi. The way he applies himself, dedication, his positivity—what he gives for the team."

Arsenal players rushed to celebrate with him after his goal, with Riccardo Calafiori gesturing toward the player's name in front of the away fans.

"That shows unity," added. "That's why I love being around them daily. How they look out for one another is authentic."

"They really want the success for each other and they appreciate someone who works hard consistently like Martinelli does."

"I was certain that he was going to react positively. When you test Gabi, he rises to the occasion. Such instances that will hopefully boost his self-assurance—as he is an outstanding talent."