2 huge things Arsenal fans learned from Leicester victory

After a season-defining win at Villa Park on 18 February, Arsenal made the trip to King Power Stadium.

As Gooners have come to expect, Mikel Arteta’s men dominated possession and controlled the game, but the 1-0 victory was not without its hardship.

Leicester put up a fight after Leandro Trossard shook off a disallowed goal by assisting the opener, buried by Gabriel Martinelli. These are things the football world knows. Arsenal are going to have the majority of the ball, Trossard is an excellent addition, and Martinelli is back to scoring ways.

2 huge things Arsenal fans learned from Leicester victory

However, two main takeaways from today’s game make this Gunners side that much more terrifying.

1. Squad Depth

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1629794751653244928

For those who do not believe that Arsenal will reign supreme at the end of the Premier League’s 38 games, the main concern has been squad depth. Coming into the season without defined backup players for integral stars such as Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey, and Martinelli created the sense that the club were one or two injuries away from disaster. Arteta’s investment in youth and emphasis on the mindset necessary to be able to rinse and repeat, along with a whisker of luck, have meant Arsenal have been relatively injury free during the season.

With Martinelli playing nearly every minute of every game, a slight burnout was inevitable but this was remedied by a well-deserved rest with Belgian winger Trossard coming into the side. Partey’s injury history at Arsenal is concerning, but Jorginho has been able to hold down the fort in his absence.

Saturday’s win proved that concerns over Arteta’s bench options are perhaps hyperbolic. The ability to start Trossard in the middle, joined by Martinelli and Saka in the front three is a real privilege. Eddie Nketiah has started every game since the World Cup, with Gabriel Jesus’ injury opening the door for a successful run by the striker. The number 14 was rested before making an appearance for the last 20 minutes of the game.

Arsenal are not in bad shape. By no means would I sincerely advocate that Arsenal’s bench rivals that of City, but as long as injury only slightly plagues the Gunners, they should remain at the top.

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