Arsenal: Seven Impact Substitutes Pivotal To the Gunners
Arsenal have begun the season in consistent fashion, earning seven out of a maximum of nine points in the three matches that they have played. Their only failure to secure three points was against Liverpool in front of a passionate crowd at Anfield.
Arsenal have already been hit hard by the injury bug with Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and Samir Nasri already sidelined due to injuries. This will provide opportunities to some of the fringe players who will look to capitalise on these opportunities. But even then, there will be seven substitutes who will be warming the bench ready to provide their services when called upon.
These Substitutes will have a role to play in many of the games and it is imperative that they add value to the side. A great performance from a substitute can prove to be the difference in tight games. It is important that everyone in the squad contributes to what could be Arsenal's "make or break" season.
1. Theo Walcott
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Theo Walcott has already scored four goals from three matches that he has played. He will try to establish his place in the first team. But he has demonstrated inconsistency in the past few seasons, because of which he has been relegated to the bench.
The young English International has immense potential, a lot of which is yet to be realised. His pace will threaten any defence, and he has the ability to finish decently as well. if things are not going as planned for the Gunners, the introduction of Theo Walcott should see pace injected into the game.
He was predominantly an impact substitute in the last season, and he will look to cement his place among the starting eleven. His performance against Barcelona when he came on with only one-third of the game remaining was absolutely scintillating and invigorated the team. Walcott can be devastating when the defence is tired and will look to produce some dazzling performances if he does come on as a substitute.
2. Jack Wilshere
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The young midfielder has already been touted as England's future and even has an England cap to his name. He is yet to cement his place in this talented Arsenal team, but the early signs are encouraging. He has started in two out of the three games, including the opener against Liverpool at Anfield.
The youngster joined Arsenal FC at the age of 9 and has risen through the ranks to make it to the senior team. He joined Bolton Wanderers on loan in January, this year till the end of the previous season. He established himself in their first team, helping them retain a place in the Premier league. He was creative and shown maturity beyond his age.
He can play both on the wing and in central midfield, and shows his creativity and vision in both areas. Though he looks small, he has a big heart and is not afraid to put in strong tackles. He still has a long way to go, but under the astute tutelage of Arsene Wenger, he can develop into one of the best midfielders on the planet. For now, he may have to warm the bench in a lot of games and be prepared to make an impact when called upon.
3. Tomas Rosicky
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Tomas Rosicky has been dogged by injury worries, in the last few years, but now he is fit and raring to go. He has had a full pre-season and looked sharp in the three matches, that Arsenal have played so far. He is an experienced campaigner and he can do wonders when he is in the mood.
He can play both on the wing and in the centre of the midfield. His vision and creativity is mesmerising and create goals out of nothing. However, his shooting has slightly been off the radar in the past, and he will look to improve his goals tally. His fitness problems have allowed many other youngsters to move ahead of him but now that he is match-fit, he will look to regain his place.
The Gaffer has a lot of faith in the Czech International, but unfortunately, due to his well documented injury problems, he has moved down the pecking order. In this season though, he has looked very sharp. He was Arsenal's biggest offensive threat when he came on against Liverpool and controlled the midfield in the game against Blackpool, which they won 6-0. He will look to capture his best form and establish his place in the first team.
4. Marouane Chamakh
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Most of you, if not all, will be questioning as to why Marouane Chamakh is included in this list of substitutes, considering the fact that he has been involved in the majority of Arsenal's matches so far. He has had a decent start with the Gunners, and has also scored his first Premier League goal against Blackpool.
Arsenal's new striker has a lot to offer but is not the prolific goal scorer that Robin van Persie is, which is why he might be relegated to the bench when the Dutchman is fit. Arsene Wenger will probably stick with the 4-3-3 formation, which will mean there will be only one central striker, which will be Van Persie, if he is fit.
The tall striker gives Arsenal a lot of options and will start in a lot of games, because of Van Persie's injury problems. He can play as a lone striker and defends decently from the front, trying to close down defenders. He brings something different to this Arsenal team in terms of his physicality and aerial ability, which could be very important. Even though, he will play a lot of games, Van Persie, if he is fit for the major part of the season, will get the nod ahead of Chamakh.
5. Carlos Vela
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Carlos Vela is one of the brightest young prospects for Arsenal FC. The Mexican International has been on the fringes for the last couple of years and it is time for him to step up. He had fitness issues in the previous season, and if he does remain fit, he should get some playing time, albeit from the substitutes bench mostly.
Vela has amazed and frustrated Arsenal fans in equal measure. If his chip over Arsenal target Mark Schwarzer is any indication, then he possesses talent in abundance, but his inability to produce consistent performances has caused him to move down the pecking order, with many other youngsters ahead of him.
He has it in him to grow into a great player under Arsene Wenger, but for this season, he will mostly warm the bench unless the Gunners are hit hard by the injury crisis. He will have to work hard and try to put his talent to good use. This season could be very important to him, because already critics are questioning his ability to step up to the first team. Another dismal season could see him transferred from Arsenal, which could shatter the youngster's confidence.
6. Emmanuel Eboue
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Emmanuel Eboue was booed by his own fans a couple of years back, but he kept his head down and worked his way back to the Arsenal set-up. His performances, last season, were passionately applauded by the Arsenal fans who lauded him for his work ethic. He was excellent on many occasions in the last season and won plaudits for his performances, setting an example to budding youngsters through his dedication and hardwork.
He offers a lot of versatility to this Arsenal team. He has played in his preferred Right Back position for the Gunners in a lot of games, but Arsene Wenger has also used him further up to occupy the Right Midfield/ Winger role. He tracks back to defend well and provides good support to Bacary Sagna. He can also play in the midfield and being a strong player, he has managed to remain relatively injury free for the Gunners.\
He may still have to be on the bench, because Sagna has established himself as the no.1 RB and there are plenty of wingers, leaving Eboue on the bench. But if Arsenal want some physicality and pace injected into the game, Eboue may be called upon to provide stability to this Arsenal team.
7. Nicklas Bendtner
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The big Dane has been subject to criticism from many quarters, but his confidence is so high that he will not let any of it affect his head. He has an air of confidence about the way he goes about his job (some may call that arrogance) an is not one to be bothered by jibes. He was inspirational for the Gunners in the latter half of the previous season, and will look to produce his best in this season as well.
His injury worries has been a problem for him and he has not played enough games for Arsenal and will be faced with tougher competition from Marouane Chamakh and Robin Van Persie when he does return to the fray. Standing at 6'4", he offers a Plan B, in Arsene Wenger's words, to the Gunners and also has great positioning ability, which helps him to be at the right place at the right time.
The Danish International has been at Arsenal for more than 5 years now and enjoys the faith of the manager. He is a confident young lad, who has great mental strength to survive in the tough Premier League. He has his flaws but at 22, he still has the time to become a world class centre forward.
In the last season, he missed a number of easy opportunities against Burnley at the Emirates, which lead him to be substituted and criticised by a number of games. It took him less than three days to respond to the criticism and repaid his manger's faith by scoring a hat-trick against FC Porto in the Champions League. From then on, he went on to score a number of vital goals including last gasp winners against Wolves and Hull City. In this season, he will only be the third choice striker behind Chamakh and Robin Van Persie, but he has it in him to produce match winning performances from the bench.
Last Season's Scintillating Substitute Performances
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1. Cesc Fabregas vs Aston Villa:
It was a scintillating performance from the captain, who was not completely fit at that time. He scored twice to break the deadlock and secure vital points for the Gunners. 27 minutes, 2 goals and 3 points in the kitty for the club. He was injured after he did score the second goal but he had done his job for the club. It was a rousing performance from the Spaniard showing his love and commitment for the club.
2. Theo Walcott vs Barcelona:
Under the watchful eyes of Fabio Capello, it was Walcott's time in the spotlight when he came on for Arsenal around the hour mark with the Gunners trailing 2-0 at the Emirates. Something special was required to save the blushes, and special it was from Walcott. Walcott's pace injected life into the Gunners and he scored the first goal with aplomb rejuvenating Arsenal's sagging hopes. In the end, Arsenal managed to salvage a 2-2 draw, though they were beaten comprehensively at Camp Nou in Barcelona.
3. Nicklas Bendtner vs Wolverhampton:
Nicklas Bendtner had been subject to a lot of criticism because of his inconsistent performances in the last season, but was unfazed by it and managed to produce more than one match winning performance, one of which was against Wolves. He came on as a second half substitute in a match which Arsenal had to win to stay alive in the title race. Things looked bleak till the 93rd minute, until Bendtner thumped in a header on goal from a Bacary Sagna cross, which proved to be the difference between the two sides.
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