It has been a frustrating period supporting Arsenal during a season that promised so much and is ending with the possibility of delivery comparatively little. Watching the side that should have taken points from Manchester City in January lose to Brighton, Southampton and Crystal Palace successfully rightly drives supporters mad.
Watching Arsenal can be as much of a curse as it should be a blessing. However, besides the obvious irritation at the match results, fans have also been frustrated by the lack of a third substitute being made.
Against Southampton, Mikel Arteta brought off Cedric Soares and Nuno Tavares for Emile Smith-Rowe and Nicolas Pepe. Whilst in the Brighton match the week prior, the Spaniard took off Smith-Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli for Eddie Nketiah and Pepe.
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There were other options on the benches in both a midfield and attacking sense. Mohamed Elneny was an experienced central midfield option who could have relieved a burden on Albert Sambi Lokonga and has been capable of providing a threat from distance.
Meanwhile, youth star Omari Hutchinson has been on the bench on several occasions now without being brought on despite the need for some dynamic spark that the youngster is certainly capable of. He has eight goals and seven assists in 21 goals for both the under 23s and under 21s teams this season.
Attacking midfielder Marcelo Flores was called up to the team for the Palace game but was another unused substitute despite the need for goals. Elneny was brought on ahead of the Mexican international.
Arteta was asked about the youngster in his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea. Interestingly his answer may have provided the reason behind his decision not to use the players.
“It was great to have him around. We had the chance to bring him [into] the squad, he’s been training with us regularly through the season. I think he’s developing really, really well, he’s doing well with the under-23s and it’s great to see them closely and for them to start to have some good experiences on matchday with the first team because it’s how they start to understand what it takes to be a professional player, the pressure around it and start to live those moments, it’s key,” said Arteta.
It is evident that whilst they sit on the bench the idea is not to use them. Arteta sees their presence as an experience in itself, to be around the senior players on a matchday.
Perhaps had Arsenal been several goals up with minutes to go, this is then they might have been given an opportunity. However, this is not a situation that has arisen in the recent past and so they have remained on the sidelines.
Arteta though should consider these options if the side is in need of a goal. Sometimes something new can spark life into a side. Hannibal was brought on for Manchester United and despite looking erratic against Liverpool, offered more energy than the entire team had all game.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Arsenal certainly are approaching this phase and Arteta should be willing to use every tool at his disposal.
