For managers like Mikel Arteta today's announcement that they will be able to make five substitutions from a bench of nine players is unequivocally good news.
No head coach would complain about further options to mix up the side but for those like Arsenal's who have particularly great strength in depth in attacking areas there is even more to be gained from this change, brought in to ensure the physical burden on players can be eased during the run-in.
Prior to the suspension of Premier League football Arteta was already approaching the stage where he had more options for his 18-man squad than spaces to fit them all in - and that was with a crisis of numbers in full-back positions. The likes of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Rob Holding consistently missed out on opportunities to feature even though they were fully fit.
Managers usually tend to stock their benches with attacking options that can help them nick a late goal but Arteta had so many to call upon that for the 3-2 win over Everton on February 23 he was able to rest Gabriel Martinelli and Joe Willock.
Last week football.london predicted the side we expect Arteta to name when Arsenal return to action, following on from that and the Premier League's announcement this afternoon it's now time to consider the game-changers the Gunners boss could name on his bench so as to turn the tide against Pep Guardiola's side.
A reminder of our predicted Arsenal XI: Leno; Bellerin, Luiz, Mari, Tierney; Ceballos, Xhaka; Pepe, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette
Here are the substitutes to go alongside that side
Emiliano Martinez: Whether it's five substitutes, seven, nine or a hundred, you're better off making sure you have someone who can don the gloves in case of injury or a dismissal for Leno. You suspect, however, that Arteta will not follow Unai Emery's lead and name two goalkeepers on the bench as his predecessor did in the Europa League final.
Shkodran Mustafi: Even with greater numbers on the bench versatility will be a valuable trait among the substitutes Arteta names. Hence having a centre-back that can fill in at right-back such as Mustafi - or perhaps even Sokratis Papastathopoulos - would be invaluable.
Cedric Soares: Now that they are all fit and raring to go again Arteta has more options at full-back than he could get close to naming on the bench. January signing Cedric is the natural choice when Bukayo Saka ticks the box for back-up on the left flank, meaning there is no need for Sead Kolasinac.
There is a case to be made for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, perhaps the most versatile player in the squad, but in almost every position the youngster could feature there are at least two players above him in the pecking order.
Matteo Guendouzi: The Frenchman and Lucas Torreira both make this bench on the likely assumption that at some stage at the Etihad Arteta will need at least one, perhaps two, bodies to shore up his midfield, whether Arsenal are holding off an onslaught in a bid to hold onto three points, one point or simply to stem the tide.
Lucas Torreira: At the time of writing Torreira is the only confirmed injury doubt for the trip to the Etihad on March 17. His recovery from a fractured ankle was inevitably hamstrung by the coronavirus pandemic whilst he also flew to Uruguay to undergo rehabilitation work closer to his family.
Recent days have seen Torreira begin to take part in some sessions with the rest of Arteta's squad and he will be determined to feature in some capacity. Of all the nine laid out here, however, he is the most likely to be held in reserve rather than see his fitness risked. He will doubtless be needed on many occasions during the run-in.
Reiss Nelson: Now we get into the frontline. Arteta has long been an admirer of Nelson having made his early forays into coaching working with the youngster in the academy. Injuries have hampered his opportunities so far this season but chances should come when football resumes.
Bukayo Saka: Since Arsenal returned to training Saka has been working with the forward group and will be considered among them barring further injuries to Tierney and Sead Kolasinac. His performances so far this season mean he is a natural fit on the bench.
Gabriel Martinelli: What more is there to say about this outstanding young forward? If Arsenal are still in the game as the second half wears on you would not be surprised to see Martinelli have a decisive impact off the bench.
Eddie Nketiah: The 21-year-old reached the postponement of the Premier League season vying with Alexandre Lacazette for a starting role and his hoes will not have faded during the three months without football. At the Etihad, however, the senior option may get the nod.
Not a bad collection of options at all. Meanwhile should any of the substitutes suffer injury or illness there are still numerous youngsters and fringe players who could step in. Missing from this squad are Sokratis, Rob Holding, Kolasinac, Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock whilst Under-23 prospects including Matt Smith and Zech Medley have also been training with Arteta.
The Arsenal boss will certainly not be light on game-changing options when the season resumes.
