Arsenal’s depth is a constant source of discussion regarding the key area needing strengthening. The team that started and beat Chelsea at the weekend is certainly a strong one but options to change the game from the bench are comparatively weaker than the likes of Manchester City’s.
Arsenal know that the January transfer window will be crucial in ensuring that they reinforce to maintain their Premier League title push. The two names currently are Palmeiras' Danilo, who football.london understands the Gunners might go back in for in the winter window after holding prior interest in the summer, and Mykhaylo Mudryk.
football.london understands that the Gunners hold a long-standing interest in the Ukrainian international. Currently the attacking options from the bench have been Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira, with the likes of Nicolas Pepe on loan.
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With Emile Smith Rowe injured, Mikel Arteta has relied on these three, plus the youngster Marquinhos, to provide both rotation and impact. That said, only in small moments have they been able to make a considerable impact leading to mounting concern.
However, there is a very fair counterargument to this which could debunk the myth that the current bench options aren’t offering enough in the Premier League games. In the Europa League matches and Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton, it has been commonplace for Arteta to bring on several of his Premier League starters in the second half.
That is either to see out the performance, as was the case with Thomas Partey away at Bodo/Glimt and at home to FC Zurich, or the try and turn the game as he did with Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Magalhaes and Granit Xhaka on Wednesday evening.
Bukayo Saka, Martinelli and Jesus have come on in several Europa fixtures too. None have so far managed to score a goal.
In fact, the only substitute to score a goal for Arsenal this season is Reiss Nelson. Coming on midway through the first half against Nottingham Forest the winger scored twice in the second half to set up a big win; goals which equate to the only two from 51 substitutes made by Arteta.
Whether it is Nketiah or Jesus, Arsenal’s players from the bench are not making a goalscoring impact at the moment. The reason behind this is difficult to put a finger on, as last season a number of players came off the bench to score.
Smith Rowe managed it on numerous occasions and Pepe famously did so in the turnaround against Wolves at home. Substitute Nketiah also got an assist in that game.
Perhaps it does still come back to the reinforcement argument. If Arsenal managed to sign Mudryk, they would have not only the added firepower of the new signing but Smith Rowe too.
Suddenly Arteta could call on Smith Rowe, Vieira, Mudryk, Nketiah and Nelson as attacking options and replace the whole front five if he chose. If the Gunners want to challenge, or at least maintain their momentum, it is almost inarguable that they can do it without reinforcement this winter.
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