Arsenal’s superiority comes from strength in depth

Embed from Getty Images

Across the Christmas period, I’ve noticed something surprising among many of the best sides in the Premier League. They simply have no strength in depth anymore.

With competing competitions like the African Cup of Nations, injuries, and strange transfer decisions, many top sides have been left with a host of young players and nothing more on their bench.

This isn’t to say that there is anything inherently wrong about young players. Many teens, from Bukayo Saka to Marcus Rashford to Lewis Miley have proven to be immediately ready for the top flight over the years.

Embed from Getty Images

But at a certain point, there becomes something wrong with needing to field an entire bench of young players. There’s always a level of experimentation and uncertainty with young talent, and a certain level of experience that is then lacking in the crucial, dying stages of match.

Amidst much of the discussion behind the reasons for subsequent sackings of Enzo Maresca and Ruben Amorim, there has been a lack of attention toward the fact that both coaches were left with very small squads toward the end of their time.

Embed from Getty Images

They were forced to field ever-changing elevens that had little time to gel together, comprised of players yet to prove their Premier League status. In becoming frustrated with the transfer policies and the lack of reinforcements toward their ideals, they were let go.

But both were a victim of the lack of depth behind the first eleven.

Let’s look at this Manchester United side.

On paper, this is everything you could want in a Champions League club. It’s full of attacking intent and creativity. There’s a solid base at the back with Premier League and international experience. Every single player deserves to be there.

But once you get beyond the first eleven and players start to go missing, replacements are few and far between.

That is, in many ways, a fault of their transfer strategy. When you spend £70-80 million on a few big name stars, you then lack the funds to fill up the rest of the squad with five or six genuinely good Premier League level players. This is something that Newcastle have done incredibly well since coming into their fortune. Instead of splashing the cash on big players, they’ve made smart signings like Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, Sandro Tonali, Lewis Hall, Sven Botman, etc…the list goes on! Players that are definitely Premier League and Champions League quality, but not worth £70-80 million.

Embed from Getty Images

Over the years, Manchester United have enacted the opposite approach. They’ve spent big money on marquee signings, leaving little room for quality within the rest of their squad.

When you then lose that talent, like a Bruno Fernandes or a Bryan Mbeumo, there is no replacement. Any possible replacement is either a downgrade to what that player can do, or more drastically, changes the way the team can play.

Embed from Getty Images

This is a problem that I see with United, Chelsea, Liverpool and even City.

Whereas with Arsenal this season, they have the ability to replace anyone they want at anytime, rotate through their top players, and keep a sense of stability. When they’ve been hit by injuries, it hasn’t mattered. Martin Ødegaard missed a few matches, and Eberechi Eze came in. Gabriel and Saliba were out at the same time, and were swiftly replaced by two fullbacks in Jurriën Timber and Piero Hincapie. Declan Rice could miss a match, and Mikel Merino could come into the fold.

Embed from Getty Images

Take out any player in that side, and it’s not that significant of a downgrade. Even if you lose Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Gabriel, Ødegaard, there’s always a player in behind who can enter the mix and still play at a Premier League title winning level.

Embed from Getty Images

And the depth is in every single position to a degree that the other top sides simply don’t have. Across busy periods like the Christmas fixture list or Champions League doubles, Arsenal have the ability to rotate their squad seamlessly without missing a beat.

Manchester City on the other hand have done things like letting go of Manuel Akanji, Julian Alvarez, and Jack Grealish who would have made for excellent squad players this season. In losing Luis Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool have similarly downgraded their squad without adequate replacements. Chelsea and United have let go of so many players that they’re fielding entire benches of youth team talent.

Embed from Getty Images

The only teams that are starting to emerge with that level of rotational quality are the other teams starting to challenge for those Champions League spots the past few seasons. Newcastle have great strength in depth. Without Keiran Trippier and Tino Livramento, they still have Lewis Miley and Lewis Hall. Without Fabian Schar and Dan Burn, they still have Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw.

Aston Villa have an entire squad of proven Premier League level players. Behind Morgan Rogers is Emi Buendia. Donyell Malen could come in for Ollie Watkins. Victor Lindelof has played in Pau Torres’ stead. There’s someone ready to replace in nearly every position, and be almost just as good, if not equal to the standard.

Embed from Getty Images

And for whatever reason, that’s just not something that United and Chelsea have right now. But it is what Arsenal have, and that is likely what will take them to the top of the league.

Thanks for reading and see you soon!