Arsenal’s substitute impact is becoming impossible to ignore

As Arsenal fight in all four competitions, the contribution of substitutes continues to be a key reason why they're able to do this. On Saturday, the Gunners battled to a 2-1 victory over Mansfield in the FA Cup, with Eberechi Eze coming off the bench to fire home the winner at Field Mill.

According to Opta, this is the 19th time an Arsenal substitute has scored this season. Since the formation of the Premier League in '92, only once have the Gunners accumulated more goals off the bench in a single campaign across all competitions, reaching 20 in 2005/06, very much set to break that record.

Arsenal goals from substitutes 2025/26

• 7 March. Mansfield 1-2 Arsenal. FA Cup. Eberechi Eze.

• 7 February. Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland. Premier League. Viktor Gyökeres X2.

• 3 February. Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea. EFL Cup. Kai Havertz.

• 31 January. Leeds United 0-4 Arsenal. Premier League. Gabriel Jesus.

• 25 January. Arsenal 2-3 Manchester United. Premier League. Mikel Merino.

• 20 January. Inter Milan 1-3 Arsenal. Champions League. Viktor Gyökeres.

• 30 December. Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa. Premier League. Gabriel Jesus.

• 6 December. Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal. Premier League. Leandro Trossard.

• 3 December. Arsenal 2-0 Brentford. Premier League. Bukayo Saka.

• 26 Nov. Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich. Champions League. Noni Madueke & Gabriel Martinelli.

• 29 October. Arsenal 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion. EFL Cup. Bukayo Saka.

• 1 October. Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos. Champions League. Bukayo Saka.

• 28 September. Newcastle United 1-2 Arsenal. Premier League. Mikel Merino.

• 24 September. Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal. EFL Cup. Leandro Trossard.

• 21 September. Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City. Premier League. Gabriel Martinelli.

• 16 Sep. Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal. Champions League. Gabriel Martinelli & Leandro Trossard.

Eight different players have scored a goal off the bench this season, with Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, and Viktor Gyökeres all netting three times as a substitute. Plenty of these goals have been absolutely crucial, including Gabriel Martinelli's last-gasp equaliser against Manchester City, as well as Kai Havertz's stoppage time clincher to see off Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

In total, Arsenal have the joint-most goals by substitutes in the Premier League this season, alongside West Ham and Brighton who have also bagged nine, according to Statmuse. So, how does that compare to previous seasons for the Gunners?

Arsenal Premier League goals by substitutes per season

Across the last decade or so, Arsenal's proficiency when it comes to goals off the bench has been pretty erratic with not much of a discernible trend. More recently however, after only getting six goals from substitutes during Arteta's first title challenge in 2022/23, this number has exponentially increased subsequently.

Having registered 12 during both of the last two campaigns, currently at nine with eight fixtures remaining, they're very much on course to smash that number, which is their high point in modern times. So, ahead of Wednesday's trip to Bayer Leverkusen, who will be the Arsenal hero? Perhaps, once again, it won't be someone who begins the evening on the pitch.