Gooner’s Verdict: Athletic Club 0 - Arsenal 2

Arsenal kicked off their Champions League campaign against Athletic Club in Bilbao, Spain, winning 2-0. Athletic Club set the tone early that it was going to be a very physical match, and Arsenal struggled to get control of the game for most of the first half. Passes were sloppy, and players looked disjointed in build-up play. Eze, Gyokeres, Calafiori, and Madueke were making a lot of smart runs, but passes were either not finding the man or were off in timing. These growing pains are fixable, and I put them down to the fact that this is only the 5th game that those particular players are playing together. The most important thing is that intelligent movement continues, as players will eventually get on the same wavelength.

Despite the growing pains, there were some decent chances in the first half. One where Gyokeres received the ball over the top in a foot race with the defender, but ultimately lost control as he approached, and it ended as a timid shot straight at the keeper. He had had another chance from intricately worked build-up play that led to a cross from Timber and Gyokeres connecting with a diving header that went just wide of the goal. It's encouraging to see Gyokeres beginning to show a more well-rounded game. He's showing more ability to lay the ball off to teammates in the build-up, make smart runs off defenders for through balls, and be more than just a finisher. Arsenal typically creates a lot of chances, so I have little doubt that the goals will come for him, and he is still showing aggression to get on the end of goal-scoring opportunities, but it's a welcome sign to see that he has already begun to tweak his game for the betterment of the team.

I don’t know if it’s solely because Saka is not playing, and Eze offers something different than Martinelli, but there is a better balance in attacks down the left and right wings in the first half. This reiterates my earlier point about the new signings linking up, but there are noticeably good relationships developing between Gyokeres, Eze, and Calafiori on the left. It's something I will definitely be paying attention to, especially when Saka comes back, because he should also be a beneficiary of the added depth and quality, finally allowing him to not be double and triple-teamed as the sole attacking outlet, now that there is a legitimate threat developing down the left-hand side.

Martinelli came on for Eze in the 71st minute and scored within 36 seconds of being on the pitch. If there was any player who needed to play well and score a goal, it was him after he appeared to have lost his starting place to Eze, and he hasn't looked impressive so far this season. Great passing from a flick on from Trossard, but Martinelli had a lot to do to bring it down on the move at full speed and compose himself and slot it past the keeper.

He got the assist for Trossard’s goal and was deservedly awarded Man of the Match. Now is not the time to assess Martinelli’s standing in the team or how he will contribute moving forward, but IF this were to be his role in the biggest games of the season, a fast, transitional player with goal-scoring instincts coming off the bench to run at tired defenders, then that would make a lot of sense to me. He has vast experience in all competitions and typically steps up in big matches, so I see Martinelli being a huge weapon throughout the season. This could also be the season we see more center-forward play from Martinelli, allowing him to regain his scoring confidence, because it does feel like he's lost some of his natural striker's instinct in front of goal. I see a lot of potential benefits for him in this, so we will see how he's utilized as the season progresses. Today could be a preview of the kind of impact we can expect.

Mosquera was solid again tonight next to Gabriel. It’s early in his Arsenal career, but his defensive qualities — strength, speed, intelligence, and composure on the ball — remind me of a combination of both Saliba and Gabriel. He really looks like the two older brothers had a little brother who had the qualities of both. It’s going to be so interesting to watch him develop over the next few years, but also see how often he is used this season moving forward once Saliba returns, because he hasn’t done anything wrong to be dropped.

Norgaard and Hincapie made their debuts for Arsenal in injury time to get minutes in their legs. Rice moves to the 10/left 8, and Nwaneri didn’t get off the bench. I honestly don’t get why he's not trusted in these matches. Rice looked dead tired after playing 90 minutes, then being asked to play in an even more advanced position, even if only for 6 or so minutes in injury time. Any experience would be beneficial for Nwaneri, particularly in these circumstances where he would be responsible for playing maturely to see out the win. Another reason it was bizarre is that we play Man City on Saturday, a game that I expect Rice to start, given the physicality and the experience of City’s midfield, so I just don't understand running him into the ground after we scored the second goal.

It was an all-around good performance from the team and a good start for Arsenal in round one of the Champions League away from home.