In a Premier League season increasingly shaped by injuries, rotation and congested schedules, what happens when the first choices are unavailable can be incredibly important. How much quality is available beyond each club's established starting XI? How much is retained when starters are replaced?
Where are squads strongest and weakest, and how often do managers actually use their alternatives? What impact do current squad players have when called from the bench and how do each club's resources compare with their expected level, upcoming fixture demands and recent injury record? We've attempted to answer all these questions.
Our Overall Squad Depth Index factors all of the above and Arsenal come out on top. The Gunners also lead the separate Competitive Depth Index. Hardly a surprise, but what makes Mikel Arteta's squad so strong and reliable compared to the rest of the English top flight?
Sky Sports combined Opta playing-time and match data with current Transfermarkt estimated player market values to identify each club's established first XI and strongest available alternatives. The model measures first-to-second-XI quality retention, reserve quality, positional cover, actual rotation and player readiness. Substitute attacking impact is based on the current squad's Premier League performances from the previous two full seasons and the current campaign, with rates adjusted for sample size.
Competitive Depth also accounts for the standard each club is expected to maintain, using Sky Sports' supercomputer forecast, alongside Transfermarkt squad value. The preparedness model compares squad depth with known upcoming fixtures, short turnarounds and each club's injury record across last season and this season. Arsenal concentrated on increasing their depth in the summer transfer window.
While the club flirted with blockbuster moves for Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez, the additions of Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa already complement a back four and midfield stacked with talent. Mikel Arteta also had to cope with a large list of injuries last season, something they'll be hoping doesn't afflict them this time around. The combined current market value of Arsenal's named substitutes in Premier League matches this season has averaged at £367m.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
