Many Premier League clubs are blessed to have great squad depth, which has helped them rotate players better than others. This has resulted in better fitness and freshness for their first-team players.
While those are the positives, on the negative side, the competition to make it to the starting XI always remains intense. Despite doing decently well, some of these players have been left on the bench because of the rich quality of the squad.
Top Premier League clubs have benefitted from their substitutes
The 2021-22 Premier League season has been an intense one so far and it is only going to get more tricky with time. With so much to fight for, substitutes have a key role in the final outcome of the season.
Some of the players have been quite productive in front of goal when coming off the bench. This has helped their respective clubs immensely in winning more points. On that note, let's take a look at the teams who have had the most goals through their substitutes this season.
#5 Crystal Palace
Under the management of Patrick Vieira this season, Crystal Palace have looked like a different team. They have been effective in attack and have been able to turn around the results more often than not this season.
With 30 points in 27 matches, the Eagles are comparatively on the safer side when it comes to the relegation battle. That being said, one can never what might happen at the end of the season.
Crystal Palace have had five goals scored through their substitutes this season. Out of fiv, two each have come from Odsonne Edouard and Michael Olise.
#4 Arsenal
The Gunners are looking in good form in 2022 and are currently sitting fifth in the table with 45 points in 24 appearances. They are just two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, with three games in hand.
Arsenal have so far won 14 games in the league, the joint third-most in the competition.
Their recent 2-1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers showed their character and fighting spirit as they came back from a goal down. Mikel Arteta's side are posing a strong challenge in their bid to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Out of the 38 goals that they have scored this season, five of them have been scored by substitutes. Emile Smith Rowe has scored three of those five goals and helped the Gunners rescue some important points.
#3 Liverpool
The Premier League title race is going to be a close one with both Manchester City and Liverpool strongly challenging for it. The Reds sit second in the league table, six points behind the defending champions with a game in hand.
With many games left in the season for both teams, the battle could not be any more entertaining. Liverpool have been a great attacking force this season, scoring 70 goals so far, the most by any Premier League team this campaign.
Mohamed Salah has been in stellar form for the Reds, and his 19 league goals have been quite vital for them. Apart from the Egyptian, six goals from substitutes have come in handy for Liverpool's cause. Out of the six, Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino have scored twice from the bench.
#2 Manchester City
Manchester City have been quite dominating in the Premier League, especially after Pep Guardiola took over as their manager in 2016. The Spaniard's amazing knowledge and tactical brilliance has helped the club to be very productive in front of goal.
Along with their superb attacking abilities, Manchester City have managed to be quite solid at the back. With just 17 goals conceded in 26 games, they have the best defensive record in the league right now.
Courtesy of their quality squad depth, their substitutes have played a key role in turning around games when needed. Manchester City have been able to register six goals from the bench this season, out of which Riyad Mahrez has scored three goals.
#1 Manchester United
Manchester United have had an inconsistent season so far and there are multiple reasons for it. Nevertheless, the Red Devils sit fourth in the league table with 46 points.
United players have struggled with their form on the pitch and will need to be at their very best if they are to qualify for the Champions League. With the experience of Cristiano Ronaldo, they should be able to pose a strong challenge.
The Red Devils have so far scored 44 goals in the Premier League this season, out of which 10 of them have come through substitutes. Marcus Rashford may have been struggling in form lately but has contributed four goals when coming off the bench.