t’s a familiar scenario: you sign a player with high hopes, expecting him to inject talent and excitement. But then, he becomes a fixture on the bench, a ghost in the stands glimpsed only during injury crises or late-game rotations. Finally, a rare start arrives, and it doesn’t go as planned. The knives come out, the label “not good enough” is bandied about. But before we rush to judgment, let’s ask ourselves: how can someone truly shine if they’re always kept in the shadows?

Here’s the inconvenient truth: form and confidence are like muscles. They atrophy without exercise. You wouldn’t expect a weightlifter to bench press a record after months of inactivity. So why do we expect footballers to perform miracles after being relegated to the benchwarming bench?

Imagine the pressure of stepping onto the pitch cold, with just 10 minutes to prove your worth. It’s enough to give even the most confident player a case of stage fright. Now, consider the psychological impact of being constantly overlooked, of watching your peers rack up minutes while you gather dust. It chips away at your belief in yourself, making it even harder to perform when the opportunity finally arises.

This isn’t just about individual players like Nelson, Kiwior, Trossard, or Smith Rowe, though their talents deserve proper recognition. It’s about the health of the entire squad. Relying too heavily on a select few puts immense pressure on them, leaving us vulnerable to injury and burnout.

Imagine the potential if we truly utilized our full roster. Imagine the confidence boost Nelson would get from a solid run in the starting XI, the tactical versatility Kiwior could offer, the goals Trossard’s fresh legs could bring. Imagine the renewed energy pulsating through the team when Smith Rowe returns to weave his magic.

Let’s face it, squad depth isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. It creates competition, keeps everyone on their toes, and ensures we have options when the inevitable knocks arrive. So, let’s give everyone a chance. Let’s stop judging players based on fleeting glimpses and start nurturing their talents by giving them consistent opportunities to shine. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats, and in the beautiful game, a thriving squad can unlock something truly special.

While Mikel Arteta’s current approach has yielded success, a leaf could be taken from Pep Guardiola’s playbook. Implementing more frequent squad rotation would not only offer valuable minutes to neglected talents like Nelson and Kiwior, but also boost confidence and form, ease pressure on core players, and increase tactical flexibility.