Arsenal’s squad depth is better this year than it has been for quite some time.

Despite missing Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker against Liverpool earlier in the season, we had Gabriel and Calum Chambers to come in for them. We all remember the days of Mikael Silvestre and Sebastian Squillaci, it’s pretty clear we’re better stocked than we were just a few years back.

Mathieu Debuchy and Kieran Gibbs find themselves on the bench regularly, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud currently can’t get into the starting eleven even though the attack-minded trio of Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck are all out.

“It’s a good situation for us because every player gives something to the team,” Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker said to Arsenal Player. “It’s not only about taking something or taking a place, for us it means more to play for Arsenal than just getting a spot in the lineup.

“It’s a good situation for all of us.”

A big squad is needed to compete across different competitions, and that’s certainly what the Gunners are hoping to do this season.

If we can head into January or February with the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wilshere, Welbeck, Giroud and a whole host of defenders still fresh we should have a great chance of sustaining a title challenge, as long as we continue our decent start.

“There will be small niggles, injuries and sicknesses so we have to find a way of playing with each other, no matter who’s playing,” Mertesacker added. “That is the situation but it’s a very respectful situation.”

The German – as ever – is right, and our squad should give us a great shot at competing this year.