Viktor Gyokeres was off target in his Champions League debut for Arsenal.
The London club’s substitutes were decisive, though, in a 2-0 win for the Gunners at Athletic Bilbao on the opening night of this season’s competition Tuesday.
Gabriel Martinelli scored less than a minute after he came on and Leandro Trossard — who had replaced Gyokeres — doubled the lead 15 minutes later.
Gyokeres — Arsenal’s prized signing who scored six Champions League goals for Sporting Lisbon last season — missed a golden chance shortly after the break. The Sweden international evaded his marker with ease and rose to meet a well-placed free kick from Declan Rice but his header went well wide of the target.
Martinelli and Trossard also provided the assists on each other’s goals. Union's memorable debut