Wednesday briefing: Arsenal and Tottenham start with wins in Champions League

Arsenal and Tottenham launched their Champions League campaigns in victorious fashion on Tuesday.

League Two Grimsby were among three teams to progress in the Carabao Cup, while Liverpool boss Arne Slot defended his club’s summer spending ahead of a possible debut for Alexander Isak.

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Martinelli gives Arsenal the lead 36 seconds after coming off the bench against Athletic Club ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/ViyE1nLSbK

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Substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard fired Arsenal to a 2-0 win away to Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League.

Martinelli scored just 36 seconds after coming on, racing on to Trossard’s ball over the top to finish under the body of goalkeeper Unai Simon in the 72nd minute.

The Brazil winger returned the favour four minutes from time by pulling the ball back from the left for Trossard to convert with the aid of a deflection.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: “I looked on the bench, I looked at him (Martinelli), and in his eyes I could see that he was ready, Leo as well.”

Luiz Junior’s own goal gifted Tottenham a 1-0 home victory over Villarreal on an evening when Thomas Partey played hours before an appearance in court.

Spurs claimed three points on their Champions League return after visiting goalkeeper Junior spilled Lucas Bergvall’s fourth-minute cross in comical fashion.

Former Arsenal midfielder Partey was brough on by the visitors with 12 minutes left.

Partey is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday morning to enter pleas to rape charges.

The 32-year-old is accused of five counts of rape against two women, as well as a charge of sexual assault against a third woman.

h2>Mariners march on

Grimsby reached the