Actions speak louder than words, and so it goes for Premier League managers.
Its easy to put labels on managers these days, define them by philosophies and mantras, but when push comes to shove out on the green grass, their actions ultimately betray what exactly they are trying to do, especially when it comes to substitutions.
Last weekend’s action, threw up a plethora of situations that told compelling stories.
Take the big match at the Emirates for example. The substitutions started early in this one, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta pulling Mikel Merino and Noni Madueke for Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka. No hidden meaning there: we need goals.
Arsenal were one goal down to an uncharacteristically defensive Manchester City at the time and the substitutes, at least in aggregate, carried a more potent goal threat than the starters. To be fair, Madueke had been Arsenal’s one creative spark in the first half and his early departure had more to do with injury. Yet, there’s no shaking the feeling that Arteta’s actions were, at least in part, an admission he had played it a little too safe to start with.
In the other dugout, Pep Guardiola’s changes clearly signaled his intentions as well. Matheus Nunes for Khusanov was routine enough, but once Pep hooked both Phil Foden and Erling Haaland with 15 minutes still on the clock, and replaced them with Nathan Ake and Nico Gonzalez, it was dig-in time: we hold what we have.
Or try, in any case. Arteta tossed in Gabriel Martinelli for Jurrien Timber, and then followed with Ethan Nwaneri for Leandro Trossard, a move that would ultimately pay-off when the Brazilian scored in the 93rd minute. Four attacking changes eventually saved Arsenal from defeat, but the last substitution was telling too: Another defender entered the fray to preserve the 1-1 draw. Not for the visitors though. It was Arteta’s turn to hold what he had, tossing in Christian Mosquera to help see off a final Man City set piece. No point chasing a 2-1 at the risk of going 1-2.
The substitutions at Old Trafford were even more interesting. Robert Sanchez copped an early red card forcing Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to reorganize. He went way beyond that though, tossing out both wingers – Estevao and Joao Pedro – and when Cole Palmer limped off injured shortly afterwards, Maresca’s plan, with a team shorn of attacking teeth, looked patently like an attempt to defend a 0-0 for 80 odd minutes. Bizarre for a team with championship ambitions. It just reeked of blind panic and it did not work. And, even worse, when Casemiro’s indiscretions left Man United also reduced to ten men, Chelsea had little left in attack to claw back a 2-0 deficit. Too much negative change too soon.
Newcomers Sunderland took a different tack after also going down one man against Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light on Sunday. Regis Le Bris made one change five minutes after Reinildo’s 33rd minute expulsion – Chris Rigg off for Daniel Ballard, midfielder for centre back. No panic.
The Black Cats kept their shape, hung in the game despite conceding a goal – kept their attacking unit in place – and duly got their reward with a 75th minute equalizer. Fortune favored their bravery.
I was even more fascinated by what happened at Anfield – in retrospect anyway. Liverpool were impressively dominant in the first half and took a two – goal lead, as seems to be their wont these days. They then lost their way a bit in the second half, as seems to be their wont these days, and Everton pulled a goal back with 30 minutes to play.
Now, given that Liverpool have somehow contrived to throw away two-goal leads in three matches this season, it’s understandable that the home crowd was going to be tense and nervous as the match continued. It might have been understandable had Arne Slot decided to circle the wagons as his tired team looked to hang on to three points.
Yet, his substitutions suggested anything but that. On came Curtis Jones three minutes after the Everton goal, a like for like switch for Alexis MacAllister in midfield, and hardly a defensive stalwart. If Liverpool were going to see this through, it wouldn’t be by circling the wagons.
Slot leaned even further the other way as the game progressed, sending on Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. The message was clear: score a third goal, kill the game. It never came, and they didn’t need it in the end, but the intention was never in doubt.
Ultimately, the result will decide right and wrong. But the substitutions will have a story to tell. Ambition, caution, panic, patience, courage, perseverance. Make your choice, live with it.
