"The Brazil winger replaced Eberechi Eze in the 71st minute and made an instant and telling impact, running on to Leandro Trossard's flick and beating Unai Simon. Martinelli then scampered past a defender on the left to cut the ball back to fellow sub Trossard, and his deflected shot went in off the post to seal the win with three minutes left."
"The game had been deadlocked for much of the game as the first meeting of the sides failed to catch fire. But the Gunners, bolstered by their summer signings and stronger-looking squad, kicked on to take all three points. Athletic Club, in the Champions League for the first time since 2014-15, named an XI who had all never played in the competition. And experience proved key in the end."
Arsenal won 2-0 away at Athletic Club Bilbao in their Champions League opener, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring 36 seconds after coming off the bench and later creating the second. Martinelli replaced Eberechi Eze in the 71st minute, ran on to Leandro Trossard's flick to beat Unai Simon, then beat a defender on the left to lay the ball back for Trossard's deflected finish. The match remained goalless for much of the game as both sides failed to spark attacking intensity. Arsenal's summer signings and improved squad depth helped them secure all three points late on. Athletic Club named a starting XI with no previous Champions League experience, and that inexperience proved decisive.
Read at 101GREATGOALS.COM
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