Arsenal set for welcome bench boost against Brighton

When the news came in of Kieran Tierney’s absence from the lineup against Crystal Palace it was a shock to Arsenal, albeit not a cataclysmic one. In theory Nuno Tavares could still do a job, and Aaron Ramsdale was back to boot.

Fast forward 25 minutes, or indeed shortly after kick-off, and there was a change of heart. Nuno was all at sea at the back, Martin Odegaard’s touch abandoned him, Thomas Partey couldn’t pass a toll booth in a Lamborghini and Alexandre Lacazette was doing his best disappearing act. Tierney’s absence turned out not to be a one-off, either.

The Eagles were soaring at this point and even had the goods in reserve to supplement matters across the white line. A quick glance to the side to see what Arsenal could do to amend the situation and their prospects were somewhat bleaker.

Gabriel Martinelli stood out as the only reliable game changer, or indeed match winner, on the bench. Two players were in the squad for the first time in their careers, while Eddie Nketiah’s tendency to blow hot and cold off the bench doesn’t fill anyone with a great deal of reassurance.

Arsenal set for welcome bench boost against Brighton with Nicolas Pepe needed to provide some threat in reserve for Mikel Arteta

It’s a bench that does not inspire. At all.

Part of the reason for that is recruitment, and part of it is down to absences. Missing both first choice full-backs through injury never helps, but the biggest miss of all in the game state Arsenal found themselves in was Nicolas Pepe.

Not because he’s a saviour, nor because he’s an elite threat who could turn Arsenal’s fortunes around. No, it’s because he’s all there really is.

Chasing the game as they were, when Martinelli moved out to the right his effectiveness waned. Ideally there won’t be similar moments in matches for Arsenal to deal with but if there is someone needed out on that side other than Saka it’s Pepe’s chaotic and direct nature that will come in handy.

Missing the game through illness, James Benge has confirmed he’s due to be back for Saturday’s visit of Brighton and having seen the state of the bench at Selhurst Park and now knowing it’s going to be need even more reinforcing without Partey, comes as a welcome relief.

As, like it or not, he’s a vitally important member of this squad – as he’s shown already against Wolves – just as Nuno Tavares will be irrespective of his horror showing on Monday.

Besides, he scored twice in this fixture last season so there is always hope(..) of a repeat. It’s vital that in a Premier League season where Arsenal are winning games on small margins they have attacking threats available to them. Pepe is certainly one of the few there are.