Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal's new gamechangers as vital plan takes shape

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal now have gamechangers off the bench who can make the difference in the title race.

The Gunners are close to having a fully-fit squad as they take on Luton tonight in the first of eight games this month.

Jurrien Timber is the only absentee and the defender is expected back before the end of the season after injuring his knee in August.

Arsenal had a strong bench for their draw at Manchester City on Sunday, which was worth close to £200million and included the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey.

And asked if he believes Arsenal have renewed firepower on their bench for the run-in, Arteta said: “I certainly do.

“I think we had a really strong bench [at Manchester City]. I think the players that came on really impacted the game in a really positive way as well.

“That’s great. That gives a lot of confidence, reassurance to the team, and a lot of problems to the opponents. It’s really good.”

Arsenal are looking for a win over Luton that will take them back top of the Premier League, although that lead may only last 24 hours as Liverpool host Sheffield United tomorrow.

Arteta will be forced to rotate his team during the run-in as Arsenal fight to win both the Champions League and Premier League.

After tonight, the Gunners travel to Brighton on Saturday and they host Bayern Munich just three days in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Arteta is unfazed by the busy schedule and believes it is a chance for players in the squad to step up and make a name for themselves - just like Reiss Nelson did last season with his dramatic winner against Bournemouth.

“Our obligation and our duty is to be prepared to play any minute in any moment,” he said. “Look at the example of Reiss.

“His best moment for Arsenal, it’s a moment where he played a few minutes and made a huge impact and it’s one of the best days in his life as an Arsenal player.

“Nobody remembers if he started or if it was off the bench. There are a lot of examples in world sport where players made the impact.

“Sometimes you just need a second to change the history of a football club. You don’t need 100 minutes to play football.”