Arteta’s “Finishers” Philosophy Could Shape Arsenal’s Season

Arsenal opened their UEFA Champions League campaign in style with a 2-0 win away at Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday night. The story of the match wasn’t just the result but the impact of two substitutes, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, who came off the bench to turn the game.

Trossard replaced Viktor Gyökeres in the 65th minute, and just six minutes later, Martinelli came on for Eberechi Eze. Within half a minute of entering the pitch, the Brazilian made the difference. Trossard slipped him through on a counter-attack, and Martinelli burst from his own half to finish past Unai Simón in goal.

The Belgian and Brazilian then switched roles in the 87th minute with Martinelli turning provider for Trossard, who sealed Arsenal’s 2-0 victory.

The result gave Mikel Arteta’s side the perfect start to their European journey as they look to lift the Champions League trophy for the first time in the club’s history. But more than that, it also underlined Arteta’s evolving approach to substitutions — one he insists are no longer “subs” but “finishers.”

Arteta’s View: Finishers, Not Substitutes

After the match, Arteta doubled down on the terminology he adopted from former England rugby union coach Eddie Jones:

“They are at least equally important, or more important. We have discussed that the finishers are going to be more important this season, sometimes more than the starters. We can change the game there, especially with the intensity that we play.”

He highlighted players like Piero Hincapié and Christian Nørgaard, who also came on late, stressing that even six minutes can carry weight.

“That’s the attitude I want from all of us. The quality of those minutes is going to dictate the quality of our season.”

The Spaniard admitted he prefers the term “finisher” because it better reflects their role in shifting momentum when matches are tight.

Not Everyone is Convinced

Former Premier League striker Charlie Austin isn’t buying it. Speaking after the game, Austin dismissed the “finisher” tag as little more than man-management.

“It’s just a way to keep players happy,” he argued, pointing out that Martinelli and Trossard are now back-up options due to Arsenal’s summer signings.

"I'm not buying into it" 😤

Charlie Austin does not agree with Martinelli and Trossard being branded 'finishers' by Mikel Arteta 🔴 pic.twitter.com/0F1OIbxOmX

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 17, 2025

There’s some truth in that. Arsenal invested heavily in the transfer market, bringing in Viktor Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke. That level of recruitment inevitably pushes established names down the pecking order.

Even Thierry Henry has acknowledged the sheer depth of this Arsenal squad. Martinelli and Trossard, who were regular starters in recent seasons, now face new competition for minutes. For Arteta, keeping them motivated is vital to maintaining harmony in a squad competing on four fronts.

"This year is a must. No more excuses."

Thierry Henry believes Arsenal must win some silverware this season 🏆 pic.twitter.com/33oLR2kYcH

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 16, 2025

Both Things Can Be True

While Austin questions the semantics, the Bilbao win demonstrated why the “finisher” idea works. A squad this deep needs players who can step in and instantly tilt the balance of a game. That’s exactly what Martinelli and Trossard did.

And the stats back it up. According to Squawka, both players have historically been more productive for Arsenal when used off the bench than when starting. This season alone, Trossard has contributed one goal and two assists as a sub, while Martinelli has one goal and one assist in the same role.

📊 For Arsenal, Leandro Trossard averages 0.61 goal involvements per 90 as a starter, and 0.84 as a substitute. Gabriel Martinelli manages 0.49 as a starter, and 0.56 as a substitute. ⚽️ [@Squawka] pic.twitter.com/036BgQhp8Z

— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) August 2, 2025

That productivity gives weight to Arteta’s framing. For all the talk about semantics, these players are finishing matches in the most literal sense — delivering the decisive moments after coming on.

A Role for Everyone

Arteta’s challenge now is balance. He has to rotate between a squad stacked with attacking talent, from Gyökeres to Bukayo Saka to Eze. But he also needs players who won’t sulk when they’re not in the XI. Calling them “finishers” is more than spin. It’s about creating a culture where no one sees their role as diminished just because they’re not starting.

As Arteta put it, even six minutes can count. Against Bilbao, Martinelli and Trossard showed how much impact 25 minutes can have.

If Arsenal are to finally break their Champions League drought, the strength of their “finishers” could end up being just as important as their starters.