3 Standout players from Arsenal's 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the UEFA Champions League

2. Leandro Trossard

Trossard was back in super sub mode at the ideal time. The Belgian's busy and creative cameo rescued a game duller than dishwater before he entered the fray roughly five minutes after the hour mark.

He was back in the false nine position that hasn't always been the most comfortable fit, but Trossard seized the responsibility of leading the line brilliantly. Beginning with winning the flick to release Martinelli, a proper striker's contribution for a speedier partner making the classic out-to-in run sadly scarce in most of Arsenal's attacking play so far this season.

Trossard's next meaningful contribution was to show the kind of calmness and smarts in the box Arsenal have missed too often in recent seasons. Taking a second to delay his scooped finish after some fine wing work from Martinelli, who can still turn on the style from the flanks when his confidence is flowing, afforded Trossard the space to take the best route to the back of the net.

The sly dummy of the shot froze the hosts' back four, then Trossard's technique did the rest. This was a sweet goal from a senior player with a happy habit for producing off the bench, a trait summed up by numbers from OptaJoe.

Trossard's roving brief along the forward line makes him the kind of invaluable, clutch squad player a team with aspirations of winning major trophies needs. The 30-year-old will make more contributions like these, but he won't offer what another winger can produce.

Continued on the next slide...