Supersub Martinelli Basques in glory

STRIKER OFF BENCH WITH A QUICK HIT TO HELP TOP GUNNERS REIGN IN SPAIN

- FROM TOM CANTON IN BILBAO

SECONDS - 36 to be precise - was all it took for substitute Gabriel Martinelli to deliver another classic runaway goal to help Arsenal kick off their Champions League campaign in style.

After how the game began, manager Mikel Arteta will be delighted to leave Bilbao with three points and the perfect start to his side's bid for European glory.

Some teething problems remain, but the overwhelming confidence hit for their forgotten Brazil winger is the homecoming gift that the Gunners boss will be delighted with.

Not only did Martinelli deliver the crucial second-half opener, after Leandro Trossard provided the assist, he then returned the favour to tee up the Belgian to seal the win. Many of the questions aimed at Arteta before the match centred around rotation, but despite Manchester City being on the horizon, he made just one change from the team that beat Nottingham Forest.