BILBAO, Spain : Arsenal began their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win away to Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday, with Gabriel Martinelli making an immediate impact from the bench to open the scoring and another substitute, Leandro Trossard, netting the second.

Mikel Arteta's side, beaten at the semi-final stage last season by eventual winners Paris St Germain, were the better team on the night, but laboured to put away Athletic who were backed by a boisterous San Mames stadium, until the substitutes arrived.

Martinelli replaced Eberechi Eze in the 71st minute, with Arsenal struggling to find a breakthrough despite creating plenty of chances, and the substitute netted an impressive solo goal after less than a minute on the pitch.

The Brazilian forward was sent racing through on goal afte

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