Arsenal: Depth vs development can be aided this season

The assembly and maintenance of a squad often balance along the line between depth and development. For Arsenal, that can be aided during the remainder of this season.

Young players need game time; teams need to win. It is a dichotomy that has both humiliated and honoured managers. It weaves through the landscape of football, through the makeup of the squads that present us with this ever-beautifully dramatic game. The insatiable desire for youth; the unconquerable comfort of experience. Everyone stands somewhere on that line.

Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast right here

For Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, it has often been the case that they veer towards the virginity and vivacity of youth. The club has often risked the backlash of defeat in favour of throwing their talents into the deep end, toes dipped in at the edge, waiting to see if they sink or swim.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

But this season, that has not quite been the case. Only four players aged 21 or under have been given Premier League minutes this season. One of those players is Alex Iwobi, a player who is seen as an established first-team contributor already. The others, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson, total for 678 minutes of Premier League football. Of those 678 minutes, 653 come from Maitland-Niles.

This limited game time is something that is becoming a frustration for these prospective talents. Nelson, for instance, was visibly displeased when Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere were brought on against Watford two weeks with the game under wraps. Now, that is a one-off occasion that does not necessarily portray the thinking of Nelson and Wenger, but if there was a perfect chance to provide the young attacker with some late-game minutes, then that was it.

Wenger denied development. Instead, he chose depth. That is a choice that he must continually make, and for the remaining eight Premier League games, I believe he has the perfect opportunity to lean towards the youthful side of that tight-rope balance.

Arsenal sit 13 points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fourth position having played the same number of games. They will not overhaul that gap between now and the end of the year. As a result, they do not have all that much to play for. Burnley may only be five points behind, but what difference does it make to finish sixth or seventh?

As such, Wenger can field the likes of Nelson, Nketiah and Maitland-Niles in their most natural positions, providing them with invaluable senior experience, without fretting about the possible consequences if they were to flounder. In reality, Arsenal’s Premier League results do not matter, perhaps other than to serve as confidence-building wins for the Europa League.

Next: Arsenal: 3 players auditioning during remainder of season

Wenger has the perfect opportunity to tread that line between depth and development. Thus far, he has chosen depth. I hope that he begins to rework his priorities. Youth should be the goal, not just a fitting afterthought.