Arsenal have something quite unique in their squad

The squad building at Arsenal showed its proficiency on Wednesday night in the superb 2-0 win over West Ham, a victory where this youthful squad provided a timely reminder of its quality.

Taking the headlines were Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, two 20-year-old’s who dominated their wide areas, their opposition full-backs, and near enough the whole match.

Arsenal’s £6m Brazilian showed a maturity his game was previously lacking, while Saka did what he’s being doing for over a year now with his exceptional talent continuing to light up the Premier League on a weekly basis.

A back five featuring three 23-year-old’s and two 24-year-old’s impressed as it has done throughout the campaign, and on the bench was even more youth as Emile Smith Rowe and Nuno Tavares entered the fray with their own impact. Going through the entire squad, it’s littered with players instilling excitement within supporters who are watching them develop each week.

Arsenal have something quite unique in their squad with Saka, Smith Rowe, Tomiyasu and Nuno Tavares all brilliantly two-footed

But there is something else rather unique in this team, something noticeable in a number of the individuals.

So many of them are two-footed.

It’s one of the most infuriating scenarios to watch unfold from a supporters’ point of view: one player has a fabulous shooting opportunity presented to him only to cut over onto his favoured foot and watch the chance go begging. Martin Odegaard at Goodison Park springs to mind.

Few players are competent with either foot, but watching Arsenal claim a solid Premier League victory over the Hammers showed once again how prevalent it is within the squad.

Saka is the standout among them, operating on the right hand side despite being naturally left footed, although it’s unjust to say he’s ‘naturally left footed’ since he uses both feet with such ease there would be no knowing where he’s strongest if you weren’t aware beforehand.

The second goal was clinched with Smith Rowe’s left, and while he isn’t on Saka’s level, his divine ball carrying is made to look so effortless due to his ability to dribble and turn on either side.

Moving onto the full-backs, Takehiro Tomiyasu offers variance in build-up pay with his prolificacy on either peg. Angles to pass and combine in Arteta’s positional play system are vital and having someone comfortable to do so either side is hugely beneficial for a style based on building out from the back.

One notable instance in the win over Aston Villa saw Tomiyasu switch play over to Nuno Tavares on his left foot, before the left-back returned the favour with equal pinpoint accuracy on his right.

Nuno made a point of stating he is strong on his right before he signed, and he’s shown that in abundance already. The less said about his shooting from distance, the better.

While they’re the clearer ones, they’re not alone in this regard.

These elements come up on scouting networks but obviously don’t dictate purchases. In the case of the Hale End boys its part of their own unique abilities, and these are warmly welcomed additional tools dotted about a team where in the case of all the individuals they’ll continue to improve.

It’s something relatively unique. This many players at ease with both feet isn’t something this team has been especially known for down the years It’s another reason on the long list of why they’re such a likeable bunch.