Mikel Arteta can once again name a larger Arsenal matchday squad for their trip to Brentford on Friday.
The Gunners have the honour of kicking off the 2021/22 Premier League season as they face the newboys in west London under the lights at the Brentford Community Stadium.
And ahead of the game, Arsenal and the Bees have been informed of a rule update that affects both sides, as well as the other 18 teams in the top flight of English football when they take to the field across the first weekend of the new season.
As confirmed in the Premier League handbook for the new season, the rules state that nine substitutions are being permitted in matchday squads.
A statement reads: "Subject to Rule L.28A, in any league match a club may include in its teamsheet up to nine substitute players of whom not more than three may take part in the league match subject to the conditions set out in Law 3 of the Laws of the Game."
Prior to last season where teams could also name nine substitutes, this is an increase from the usual seven substitutes, which is seen by some fans as a benefit to the bigger clubs in the league, who have larger squads than others.
This also provides an opportunity for younger players to be involved in a Premier League matchday squad and get them a little bit closer to a first-team breakthrough.
One Arsenal player who could benefit from this update is Folarin Balogun.
The striker has officially been promoted to the Gunners' first-team squad this summer after signing a new contract towards the end of last season.
Although, he still faces strong competition for a place even in a matchday squad given the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are ahead of him in the pecking order.
That was the case on several occasions last season, in fact, he didn't make a Premier League matchday squad for any of the 38 games as his six first-team appearances came in the Europa League and Carabao Cup.
Had the Premier League gone back to seven substitutes, then the 20-year-old's chances of making the bench against the Bees would have been limited, to say the least.
But this update, coupled with a confirmed injury blow, could provide an opportunity for Balogun.
With Eddie Nketiah ruled out for up to a month with an ankle injury, Arteta is already down one attacking option for the game against Brentford.
One would assume that Aubameyang and Lacazette will be involved from the start in west London, leaving at least one spot open on the bench for a striker who could change the game if the Gunners are chasing a goal.
Balogun could get the nod, especially as Gabriel Martinelli has only just returned to training after winning gold with Brazil at the Olympic Games.
