The Arsenal squad is looking slightly different this season, as eight new additions change up the dynamics and the management style of Mikel Arteta as a result.
Andrea Berta was quick to bring in some fresh faces, following a season in which the Gunners struggled with injuries after competing across all competitions.
There will be some hope that Arsenal have addressed those concerns with the new signings, improving upon the overall squad depth.
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The early signs point towards that being the case.
Arsenal’s win over Athletic Club came with some key players missing, but a strong first team, followed by an improved substitute bench, certainly helped the team.
With a change in squad structure has come a change in management style, which Mikel Arteta has revealed.
Mikel Arteta speaks to the press after Arsenal's win over Athletic Club in the Champions League
Photo by Juanma – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Mikel Arteta reveals rugby inspiration with Arsenal squad management
Mikel Arteta has had to evolve as a coach throughout his journey at Arsenal so far.
That doesn’t stop now, though, as the Gunners continue to change each season with the hope of becoming the best team in the world.
The summer activity points towards a deeper squad for the manager, giving him the strength the likes of which he hasn’t had before.
That came in handy against Athletic Club, as his team went on to win thanks to two substitutes, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Speaking after the match, Arteta went on to speak about “starters” and “finishers”, instead of substitutes.
This mindset surrounding the team comes from rugby coaches, who gear their team up based on certain match scenarios.
When asked if his inspiration was rugby for this approach to managing the squad, Arteta responded: “Yes, I did [take the idea from rugby] and I love it because I don’t like other words to describe the players.
“And I think as the game is developing, they’re going to be more important in many minutes. So the quality in those minutes are going to dictate the quality of our season for sure.”
It’s something of a change in approach for Arteta, one he can now take with the quality he has in the squad.
That isn’t something he has always had, as proven last year.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard celebrate after scoring for Arsenal against Athletic Club
Photo By Ricardo Larreina/Europa Press via Getty Images
How Arsenal’s substitute bench has changed in the past year
It’s worth comparing how Arsenal’s bench looked in the opening game of last season’s Champions League to now, to get a real sense of how the squad has evolved.
Seven players on the bench against Atalanta last season aren’t currently at the club, many of whom were academy stars.
Arsenal’s bench last season consisted of: Neto, Jack Porter, Jakub Kiwior, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Raheem Sterling, Riccardo Calafiori, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Jimi Gower, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand.
There was a lack of real attacking threats among that bench, as Arteta made just four changes in a 0-0 draw in Italy.
Now, Arsenal have credible strength in depth, even with the absences of some key stars within the squad.