Seeing captain Martin Ødegaard depart with an injury in a recent contest, may have seemed like a colossal setback for Arsenal’s Premier League ambitions. Nonetheless, the Gunners have continued to press ahead. They continue to collect points as they do so, despite a few important first team absences. This is no accident. It is simply a byproduct of the structural squad building in place to protect against injury and suspension. This happened to create a strong fortress of quality so that the team is no longer reliant on an individual.
The Strategic Reinforcements Pay Dividends
The past experience of a lengthy absence or injury to a key player is simply a memory. The summer signings of Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, and Eberechi Eze may have seemed like smart acquisitions in terms of securing quality and with some specific profiles then, but they have already kicked on from being squad players to being key players, which Mikel Arteta needs multiple solutions in high quality to the tactical challenges presented to the squad. This level of integration has transformed what could have been a crisis into business as usual. Moreover, it continues to help maintain consistent performance levels.
The Zubimendi Foundation
At the core of this newfound strength is Martin Zubimendi. His disciplined, single pivot role provides the basic stability that is the entire building block of Arsenal’s structure. Zubimendi’s poise on the ball and intelligent positioning afford the players in front of him more room to attack, confident the defensive base is secure. Zubimendi’s seamless adjustment has continued the team’s balance throughout rotations of the attacking players.
A Tactical Dilemma of Riches
A clear manifestation of that fortress is in the debate around Ødegaard’s replacement. Instead of a straightforward decline, Arteta has a choice between an excellent creative profile in Eberechi Eze, who can provide the “magic” and incisive passes necessary to open teams up as well as Mikel Merino, who will bolster defensive solidity and control when paired with Declan Rice, and also offers a genuine goal threat from midfield. This gives Arteta the ability to tailor how the midfield plays based on the next opponent. This is the luxury to have in squads that are deemed to be elite.
Author’s Opinion
This is the type of multi-faceted strength that distinguishes title challengers from other teams. To be able to suffer the loss of arguably your most important player and continue without skipping a beat, is the sign of a potential champion. The squad is no longer simply a starting eleven, but genuine fortress of ability for the rigors of a long campaign that can sustain the challenge of a title.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
