Arsenal Vs Wolves: 3 substitutes who staked their claim

All five substitutes performed excellently in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Wolves on Saturday. Here are three in particular who staked their claim for a greater role.

Arsenal produced an embattled, hardened, spirited second-half display to hold onto their half-time lead over Wolves on Saturday evening. A key part of the Gunners’ success was the performances of all five substitutes. They all prove that Mikel Arteta has options aplenty throughout his squad as he looks to navigate a packed schedule in the coming weeks.

So, of the five substitutes, here are three in particular that staked their claim for a greater role.

3. Lucas Torreira

Alexandre Lacazette and Hector Bellerin are in straight fights with an opposite number — Eddie Nketiah and Cedric Soares respectively. As such, Arteta will likely continue to rotate between the two pairs throughout the remainder of the season as he looks to keep all four fresh. That is not the case for Lucas Torreira in central midfield who immediately showed how unique his skill set is.

Introduced for Dani Ceballos late on, Torreira looked very sharp on his first match back from injury. He broke up play several times, closed down passing angles, intercepted Wolves balls forward, and helped shield the back three ahead of the looming barrage of Wolves attacks.

Prior to his involvement, Arsenal looked increasingly tired. Wolves were playing through the midfield with ease as neither Granit Xhaka nor Ceballos could cover the ground and close off the passing lanes. Torreira was introduced and immediately provided bite, energy and structure to the central midfield. With tough games against Leicester, Spurs, and Liverpool looming, he will be needed.