Mikel Arteta praised the impact of his substitutes for having a positive impact on his team’s results this season.
Arsenal have scored seven times in the Premier League this season through players who have come off the bench.
Arteta also put the statistic down to the amount of added time that is played every week, with games regularly ticking over the 100 minute mark, and the fact he is now able to make five subs a game.
“I think there are two main factors. One is when we went from three to five subs, obviously, that gives managers a lot of ability to change as well as the course of the game”, said the Arsenal boss.
“And then obviously, the extended time that we are playing now, the 100 minutes, over 100 minutes that we are playing, when you are getting subbed on in the 70th minute, you’re almost playing half an hour, you know, and that’s a lot.
“It’s one third of the game. And also the players understanding the importance of that role, and we want to be there.
“We are going to need everybody at their best to try to change games, to try to load games, to try to rotate the team and have the freshness in every department. And they’ve been brilliant at that.”
Arsenal sit in second place and unbeaten in the Premier League, but need to bounce back after defeat in the Carabao Cup against West Ham.
Arsenal have proven this season they can battle until the end of games, with late points won against Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Everton.
Arteta reiterated the importance of game management for his side to get over the line in tight affairs.
“Obviously game management is a big thing in football and expecting what the opponent can do, and I’m dealing with that emotionally to stay in the mindset and the frame of mind that you have tomorrow”, Arteta said.
“There will be factors that can get you out of that. And it’s very important to control them.”
