By Irishexaminer.com,Nick Callow

Copyright irishexaminer

Brazil forward Martinelli has struggled to make an impact this season and lost his starting place in Mikel Arteta’s new-look side but showed he can still have an impact at the highest level with a breakaway 72nd minute finish reminiscent of his quarter-final strike away to Real Madrid last season.

Fellow substitute Trossard settled a compelling but by no means classic European tie in which the result was everything when he poked home from close range with just three minutes to go.

Arsenal had summer signing Eberechi Eze making his debut at this level while Athletic Club became the first Spanish side to start with 11 players who have never played Champions League football since Real Madrid 30 years ago.

Athletic Club have a policy of only fielding players who have come through its own academy or the academies of other clubs in the Basque Country of northern Spain and southern France and their starting XI last night looked more than comfortable as they had the better start.

Arsenal kept their cool on a balmy evening here in northern Spain and patiently grew into the game and seemed to flick an attacking switch midway through the first period when a cross from Jurrien Timber was met by a Viktor Gyokeres diving header, sending the ball narrowly wide.

The Swede had another headed effort soon after which was hindered by team-mate Gabriel Magalhaes as they went for the ball together. A clash of heads brought blood gushing from the back of the Arsenal striker’s skull. He was eventually able to play on with the wound protected by thick black strapping that left him looking ready for some karate action.

The atmosphere was fit for a Champions League final, while the standard of play and level of entertainment was very much that of an early-season group game.

Gyokeres squandered a decent chance to head Arsenal in front from a Rice free kick just two seconds into the second half as Arsenal’s set-piece prowess threatened to open up a tight game once again.

Spain no.1 Unai Simon showed a sign of his strength with a strong one-handed save from a Madueke shot soon after as Arsenal once again looked ready to open up. The more they attacked, the louder the crowd got in defiance. There is not a Premier League ground that can match this place for noise with nearly every home fan dressed in the team’s red and white striped shirt.

Arteta wanted glory, though, and sent on Martinelli for the underwhelming Eze with 20 minutes to go. The Brazilian had only been on for 36 seconds when Trossard sent him through just inside past the halfway line and he showed great speed and close control to run clear and beat Simon with a low well-placed shot.

Trossard’s 87th minute effort was not so classy and was helped in with the help of a huge deflection, but Arteta’s double switch had worked its magic once again.

ATHLETIC CLUB: Unai Simon 7, Gorosabel 6, Vivian 6, Paredes 6, Adama 6, Vesga 6 (Rego 81), Jauregizar 6, I. Williams 7, Navarro 6 (Unai Gomez 61, Nico Serrano 81), Sancet 6 (Guruzeta 68), Berenguer 6.

Subs: Santos, Padilla, Areso, Lekue, Galarreta, Yuri, Unai G, Maroan, Jon de Luis

ARSENAL: Raya 6, Timber 6, Mosquera 6, Gabriel 6, Calafiori 7 (Hincapie 90), Zubimendi 7, Rice 7, Merino 6, Eze 5 (Martinelli 71), Madueke 7 (Norgaard 90), Gyokeres 6 (Trossard 65).

Ref: Donatas Rumsas (LTU) 5.