Mikel Arteta has decided to rebrand his substitutes as ‘finishers’ and former Premier League striker Troy Deeney is no fan, saying the move is childish.
The Arsenal boss hailed Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard for their impact in the Champions League last week against Athletic Club.
After the win, Arteta said: ‘Something that we always discuss is that the finishers have to impact the game, and Gabi and Leo came on to make the difference for the team.
‘They was outstanding and the rest of the team as well. In many moments, they were at a very good level.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
‘When someone is able to win the game in those actions and be so clinical, it’s exactly what we need because the threat can come from different ways and different players. I’m very pleased with that.
‘It means that [Gabi and Leo] are connected and they feel that they are really, really important. We have discussed that a lot. We’re going to need that.’
The concept of finishers has been adopted from rugby union, with Arteta adding: ‘They are at least equally important, or more important. We have discussed that.
‘The finishers are going to be more important this season sometimes than the starters.
‘We can change the game there, especially with the intensity that we play and teams start to drop off. I’m very pleased to see that.’
Former Watford captain Deeney is not on board, and feels that the idea of making substitutes feel more involved and important could actually lead to annoying players who don’t get on the pitch.
‘You’re not a sub, you’re a finisher. What?’ Deeney wrote in The Sun. ‘Is it to make it more palatable or soften the blow for players who are not getting a look-in?
‘There’s no other word for it: Childish.
‘The problem I have with it is with players who aren’t one of the three, four or five “finishers” brought on.
‘What are you calling them? An unused player will be thinking: “He says I’m a finisher, but I’m not being used as one.” That would leave me feeling confused and p***** off.’
There could be some high level finishers on display on Sunday when Arsenal host Manchester City in the Premier League as both Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard have been pushing for returns from injury.
Arteta said there was a chance both could make the squad as Saka recovers from a hamstring injury and Odegaard from a shoulder problem.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Friday, he said: ‘If there is a chance, it will be after tomorrow’s session because they haven’t done anything yet, so we’ll have more information tomorrow.’
