Arsenal’s squad depth was on full display in the UEFA Champions League last Tuesday, September 16, as the Gunners beat Athletic Club 2-0 in Bilbao in their first match in the tournament this season. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, each of whom came in as a substitute on the day, scored to guide the Gunners to a win.
Any team that wants to go deep into the Champions League needs to have squad depth. Arsenal should be no exception in this regard, as Mikel Arteta’s men are genuine contenders for the Premier League title as well.
Arsenal Champions League Squad Depth Shows Early Promise
Arsenal started with new signings Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke on the flanks, both of whom have really been good so far. However, thanks to Arsenal’s squad depth, they also had the luxury of falling back on Martinelli and Trossard, who had a goal and an assist each in the match.
Trossard’s one-touch pass from a counter-attack set Martinelli free for the Gunners’ first goal, and then the Brazilian winger found the Belgian inside the penalty box for the latter to finish in style.
Those were the first goals of the season for both Martinelli and Trossard. Martinelli has almost 230 matches under his belt for Arsenal, but his recent form has not been very inspiring for the North Londoners.
Trossard has also played more than 120 matches for the club and is approaching 31 at the moment. Hence, he can be called one of the senior players in the team.
However, with the number of options the Gunners have in their squad, it is not going to be easy for either Martinelli or Trossard to make it to the starting XI.
Ethan Nwaneri is another very talented youngster who should also be in the reckoning for a place in the playing XI. He can play as a No. 10 as well as on the right flank.
Needless to say, when the injured Bukayo Saka returns to the side, Nwaneri cannot be considered a genuine option to start.
The Gunners now have a specialist No. 9 in Viktor Gyokeres as well, and may make it tricky for Kai Havertz to have a place in the squad when he returns from injury.
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Will Arsenal’s Squad Depth Be Enough To End the Title Drought?
The Gunners have been experiencing a title drought for the last six years. An FA Cup win in 2020 was their last success in terms of winning silverware.
Quite understandably, Arteta finds himself under considerable pressure this season. He cannot blame the recruitment either, as his club has been generous enough with spending this summer window. In such a scenario, Arsenal’s squad depth should come in handy for the team, but Arteta will have to shuffle his options judiciously to be successful ultimately.
As of now, Arsenal will be satisfied to have made a very good start to the season, with the defeat at Liverpool being the only reversal for them so far.
And with the Arsenal Champions League squad depth already proving valuable, Arteta will hope it carries them through both domestic and European challenges, and save his job.
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Credit: IMAGO / Marca
Recording Date: 16.09.2025