5 top teams in Europe who have incredible bench-strength
Mario Gotze sits on the bench for Bayern Munich during a Bundesliga gameBarcelona played a total of 63 matches last season – with a few of those leaking into this season – across a span of six competitions in Europe and the domestic scene. Barcelona won five of those tournaments and were finalists in the sixth. European football teams are allowed to register a maximum of 25 players in the A list followed a 13 ~ 14 more in the B list – which usually is comprised of players coming through the ranks of the parent club. For any club – even for the supergiants like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, it is a challenge to rotate your squad – both well and tactically adept to ensure victories keep coming. For this reason, it is imperative that clubs have enough 'squad players' – players who aren't first-team but good enough to make it to the list. We look at some of the teams across Europe who have some of the best benches:
#5 Arsenal
Arsene Wenger's men have a surprisingly deep squad this season. The Gunners are third in the table level on points with second-placed Manchester City and are only two points behind leaders, Leicester City.
The Gunners have enough strength in depth but always come up short while fighting on all fronts given their injury troubles. This season – accounting the immediate arrivals of Danny Welbeck and Francis Coquelin – the club are left with only two first-team stars on the sidelines: Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere.
Arsenal could mount a serious title challenge if only they learnt to battle their injury woes. This is their first team considering all is good in their medical department:
Excellent passers and runners fill the Arsenal first-team but their bench looks like an alternate winnable starting eleven by itself. Here are some of the stars left on the sidelines:
Jack Wilshere – The English international who once was the cornerstone for Arsenal's attacks finds himself constantly on the bench with knee and ankle injuries. When fit, is an obvious threat. Can play down the middle, has an incredible burst of pace and his passing is mesmerising.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – Another English international expected to carry the brunt of the national team on his shoulders in the years to come. He's got pace, control, dribbling ability and an eye for goal.
Joel Campbell – A Costa Rican international who had an incredible FIFA World Cup and has carried his strong form into the Premier League season. Also quick and links up well with midfielders around him.
Other notable mentions: Olivier Giroud, Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Debuchy and Kieran Gibbs.