Arsenal’s quest for Champions League glory began in perfect fashion with a 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao.

The Gunners, who have yet to secure a victory in this tournament’s history, took the lead through substitute Gabriel Martinelli at the 72-minute mark, with the assist coming from fellow substitute Leandro Trossard.

And it was role reversal 15 minutes later as Martinelli provided an assist for Trossard to score from and complete the scoreline.

Squad depth comes to the fore

Make no bones about it: Arsenal were the overwhelming favourites here.

Gabriel Martinelli was among the goalscorers as Arsenal won 2-0 at Athletic Bilbao

Leandro Trossard (second left) was the other scorer leaving Mikel Arteta with plenty to applaud

Even though key players like Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Kai Havertz were sidelined due to injuries, the Gunners showcased their remarkable squad depth – using their strength to outperform their Basque hosts and send a strong message to the rest of Europe.

Picking up early wins in a competition as unforgiving as this is crucial and, with 20 minutes left on the clock, the game was in the balance.

However, Mikel Arteta now has numerous options at his disposal. Despite the absence of many star players, the Arsenal manager was able to introduce high-caliber substitutes from the bench.

Leandro Trossard replaced Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli subbed in for Eberechi Eze, both eager to make an impact. Just thirty-six seconds later, Arsenal took the lead, never looking back.

These options are the result of a £250 million summer investment. Arteta has a reserve player for every position, each capable of coming off the bench and making a significant contribution.

Bilbao had started quickly, stringing a few attacks together which unsettled Arsenal.

Inaki Williams, the brother of Nico who was injured and previously of interest to the Gunners, used his pace to keep the backline alert.

Oihan Sancet proved himself a nuisance at the tip of midfield, orchestrating play around the area and pressing Bilbao forward.

Summer signing Eberechi Eze (right) started for Arsenal, highlighting their bolstered squad

They had the courage to get up the pitch and created chances, ignoring the prestige of their opposition.

Alex Berenguer should have done better when played through by Williams, and a few of their crosses required timely intervention.

Instead, Arteta’s men walked away with a result and it was all down to their squad depth.

Victor Gyokeres is heating up

The man behind the mask – well, Batman villain Bane’s mask – showed signs he is close to being unleashed.

Gyokeres has, at times, been somewhat peripheral in matches during his short stint with Arsenal, especially when his teammates haven’t provided ample opportunities.

He’s a player who thrives on making darting runs behind defences and needs such service to feed off.

In northern Spain the striker enjoyed much more of the ball, in particular linking up with Mikel Merino well on the left side which is a favoured area for the Swede.

Victor Gyokeres is showing signs of improvement as he gets used to his new Arsenal settings

Time and again, he marched through and tried to make things happen, whether driving into the area, crossing or laying off for his team-mates.

He clashed heads with Gabriel on 31 minutes after the Brazilian accidentally headbutted the big Swede when both competed for the ball at a free-kick.

Gyokeres was left bleeding and was wrapped in bandage but this didn’t deter him. He kept running, kept making those darts in behind and kept competing.

He perhaps should have done better when heading wide from Jurrien Timber’s excellent cross into the box but the ball is reaching him more. All he needs now is to up the ante in front of goal.

Gabriel Martinelli is inspired

The Brazilian has clearly taken Arteta’s decision to sign two wingers in the summer personally.

Watching Noni Madueke, who was excellent here again, and Eberechi Eze get the nod clearly galvanised Martinelli.

It took him just 36 seconds to break the deadlock, latching onto fellow substitute Trossard’s flick-on to dribble his way towards goal.

After fending off a defender, he managed to compose himself and coolly slot the ball past goalkeeper Unai Simon. Arteta is a big fan of Martinelli and this was a timely reminder of the quality he possesses.

Martinelli scored 36 seconds after coming on for Arsenal and looked galvanised here in Bilbao

It was the directness and hunger to drive at goal which has often been missing since the Brazilian’s breakthrough 2022-23 campaign, where he struck 15 goals in the Premier League.

In the 1-0 defeat by Liverpool before the international break, Martinelli stuttered on the ball and often killed his team’s impetus. Tonight was different.

Riccardo Calafiori vigorously pointed to the back of Martinelli’s shirt in celebration to remind critics of the winger’s talents.

The fact Martinelli was on the bench, even with big names missing, highlights just how well stocked Arteta is for Arsenal’s trophy charge.