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Mikel Arteta states that the "finishers" in his squad might prove even more crucial than starters this season—a philosophy he admits adopting from the sport of rugby.

The Brazilian winger and The Belgian forward each scored—assisting one another—after entering as late replacements to seal a 2-0 victory for Arsenal against the Spanish side in the first UEFA elite competition match.

Challenging Period and Arteta's Faith

The 24-year-old has endured a difficult spell lately, losing form and dropped to the bench, with recent acquisition the English winger preferred on the left wing.

Trossard, on the other hand, has made only a handful of cameos so far after featuring 56 times last campaign.

The Gunners' boss emphasized that starting on the bench does not diminish a individual's value, citing similarities with the rugby terminology of impact players.

"They are just as important, if not more important," he stated. "The finishers will prove more important this season sometimes than the starters."

Squad Depth and Missing Stars

Arsenal find themselves without star performers such as Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and the German playmaker due to injuries, while William Saliba was only fit enough for a place on bench.

As a result, the manager to turn to new signings earlier than planned, with several of them named in the lineup against the Bilbao-based outfit.

He confessed that omitting individuals is emotionally challenging, but praised the impact of the duo after initially benching them.

"Very pleased since it is hard on a personal level to leave players out," Arteta said. "Each occasion you reveal the line-up, you are disappointing a group of players."

Team Spirit and Morale Lift

The Brazilian, who has been a essential component under Arteta, faced a dip in form that sparked discussion among supporters about his role in the team.

He was conscious about the criticism and it dented his self-belief, despite netting double figures across all competitions—including a memorable goal in the European quarter-final clash against the Spanish giants.

The coach consistently trusted him in important matches and was delighted to see the player make the difference in this victory.

"It's well merited," remarked. "I admire Gabi. His attitude, dedication, his positivity—what he gives for the squad."

Arsenal players ran to congratulate Martinelli after his goal, with Riccardo Calafiori pointing at the player's name in front of the traveling supporters.

"That shows unity," added. "It's reasons like this I love working with them every day. How they look out for one another is authentic."

"They desire the success for their peers and they appreciate someone who works hard every single day like Gabi has."

"I was certain that Gabi would respond positively. When you test Gabi, he elevates to the occasion. These are moments that will hopefully restore his confidence—he remains an outstanding talent."