M. Arteta highlighted the importance of substitute players.

2025-09-17 11:07 © Action Images via Reuters

On Tuesday, London’s Arsenal triumphantly began the new UEFA Champions League season.

The Gunners defeated the Bilbao Athletic team 2-0 in their first away match.

The victory for the visitors was secured by precise strikes from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, who came on as substitutes.

After the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta emphasized the importance of players coming off the bench.

This season, sometimes players coming off the bench will be more important than those starting in the lineup. Players who come off the bench late in the games are often even more crucial.

It’s always hard for me to leave someone on the bench because I know all my players want to be on the pitch. My players know that leaving someone on the bench is something I experience all the time.

That’s just part of my job. Sometimes I make good decisions, sometimes they’re not as good,” said M. Arteta after the match.