The Situation
Arsene Wenger is rarely faulted tactically and rightly so: his impressive record since joining Arsenal is matched by few. However, after some recent results, it has been suggested that substitutions are becoming predictable, ineffective and even detrimental to the cause.
At the start of the season, it was not uncommon to see Nacho Monreal come on to replace one of the deep midfielders. That subsided a little due to injuries; however other subs were just as common. Whilst it worked, it was great, but unfortunately teams have slowly become accustomed to it. Without Theo Walcott, the side has become one dimensional and lacks the raw pace and know-how to put defenders on the back foot. Top sides, such as Manchester City and Chelsea, know which side will face them. The first XI is almost picks itself, and any alternatives are pretty much like-for-like.
The Decision
With the current starting XI being so flat when concerned with tactical change, it seems odd that substitutions are made so late into the game. The side was screaming for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain against Stoke. A man who could stretch the defence and run behind the full-backs was necessary. Even Serge Gnabry, who is still learning the trade, would have been a viable option.
It was clear from the first half that a simple bit of pace would leave players, such as Erik Pieters, struggling. As it stood, the forward options were too sluggish and, against a side like Stoke, this will cause a midfield gridlock. Creating space was the necessity. However, the decision to introduce Oxlade-Chamberlain came only in the 74th minute. His time to impact the game was minimal, and it is now widely regarded that Arsenal have blown their chance of winning the league, after losing this must-win game.
It wasn’t just in this match either. A quick glance at fixtures throughout the season shows some controversial decisions. Against Man United, only one sub was used, and that was Oxlade Chamberlain in the 74th minute. Against Southampton, when in need of an extra attacker, Lukas Podolski came on in injury time of the second half. Against Chelsea, Arsenal didn’t use a single sub. The list could go on.
The Verdict
With such a one-dimensional side right now, Wenger must use his subs earlier. He cannot sit and wait for players to suddenly perform. As we have seen too much this season, it has backfired and the club has lost some valuable points.
Whilst this may be coincidental and the blame can’t lie entirely at the manager’s feet, it is up to him to prove this trend wrong. Some games have been begging to be stretched by different players.
Perhaps there is some other reason. Does Wenger not believe these subs to be fit enough to come on earlier? Obviously this is an extremely cynical view, but it is worrying that some of these subs are left so late, when the team is in desperate need of a change.
With an extremely tough run of games coming up, the chance for Wenger to prove this wrong is available, but it will be hard. As for now, the simple verdict is that Wenger’s substitutions have not been good enough.
Your Verdict
We regularly pose the same question to our @AFCModiOperandi followers and include some replies in our articles – if you are interested in having your comments in our articles, follow our account and reply to our questions marked with #AFCMO. This is what you had to say about Wenger and his substitutions:
@abbaadamufan: “Yes, I will suggest half time substitution sometimes, to enable change of attacking system/plan B”
@gibbo_afc: “in the Southampton game Podolski came on in the 91st min. Should of been on much earlier”
@KEITHMUKHRAM: “its easy to say yes after the defeat, but the Arteta/Flamini axis gives Arsenal a lot more stability.”
@richardduffy1: “no brainer agenst stoke”
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