The big news emerging ahead of next season is that the Premier League are set to re-introduce the five substitution rule after numerous requests from managers from the top-flight of English football.
A stakeholders meeting in London is scheduled for Thursday (March 31) where the issue is set to be voted on once again with reports revealing that from the start of next season, each team will be allowed to make up to five replacements during any game - if the vote does indeed get the green light.
If so, this would represent a major U-turn from the Premier League as it was only in December 2020 that clubs, for a third time, rejected the proposal to increase the number of substitutes allowed per game after the limit was increased during 'Project Restart' when football resumed after the global pandemic.
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As a result, this likely upcoming rule change will bring the Premier League in line with the other top five European leagues in allowing up to five substitutes per game in a decision that should delight Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta who has previously explained why he is in favour of increasing the limit.
"I think the most important thing at the moment is the welfare of the players and the best way to protect them and have options to protect them is to have the option to extend the substitutes," he said. "So it’s like yes, we’ll give you a little bit of this so that you can have an extra two on the bench but not the option to change. We are the only ones doing that and for me that doesn’t make a lot of sense but obviously it’s not up to us."
Despite Arsenal not being in any European competition this season, Arteta has still been in charge of games where the five substitute rule has been in effect. Albeit, only on two occasions during his side's run to the Carabao Cup semi-final where he took advantage of the rule change against Leeds United and Sunderland.
Interestingly, the Spaniard didn't use all five permitted substitutions in either game - instead of using four - but having handed Charlie Patino his senior debut against the Black Cats, that could be a hint as to what could be in store if the Premier League re-introduce the five substitution rule next season.
In addition to Patino, the likes of Omari Hutchinson, Mika Biereth - a signing from Fulham last summer - Zak Swanson and Zach Awe have all been included in a Premier League matchday squad this season, but for one reason or another Arteta has been reluctant to turn to any of them.
That could very well change next season if five substitutions are permitted as it can only increase the chances of the club's most promising young players getting some first-team minutes, especially in a game where the result could be secure heading into the closing stages.
In a couple of Europa League group games last season where teams were allowed to use up to five substitutes, Arteta handed first-team debuts to Folarin Balogun, Ben Cottrell and Miguel Azeez. If those decisions are anything to go by, then there could be a few Arsenal debutants in the Premier League next term.
