Arsenal have made a dream start to the 2025-26 season. While this week could still test them with a trip to face in-form Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Mikel Arteta’s side have already passed their first two exams with flying colours.
The north London derby win was largely driven by starters, but the difference came from the bench in their Champions League clash against Bayern Munich. Leandro Trossard’s first-half injury would have raised concerns in previous seasons, but Arteta now has quality alternatives.
Noni Madueke replaced Trossard on the left before Riccardo Calafiori’s cross allowed him to score on the right. Gabriel Martinelli then wrapped up the victory, showcasing Arsenal’s tactical depth. Arteta has worked for years to improve not just the starting XI but the entire squad. Players like Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko have transitioned from marquee starters to rotation options or moved on.
Substitutes like Trossard and Mikel Merino have become crucial contributors. Trossard’s impact first came in the Champions League against Athletic Club, and since then bench players have continually made a difference, helping Arsenal challenge records for goal contributions from substitutes.
Centre-backs like Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera have also stepped up in Gabriel’s absence, highlighting the squad’s depth. Even with injuries to Kai Havertz, Odegaard, and Gabriel Jesus, Arteta is gradually nearing a fully-fit squad, setting the stage for real selection dilemmas when everyone is available.