Given the domestic and international demands on modern players, there may be no more valuable trait at the club level than depth. Successful clubs need more than top talent to compete, as the year-round demands on players makes it a necessity to have a deep roster of world-class players who are ready to perform at a moment's notice.
In the Premier League, studies show that no two teams are more familiar with the importance of depth than Arsenal and Manchester United. Both teams are being tested this season with numerous injuries to some of their most influential players, with Arsenal facing long-term injuries to key players from last season's campaign, while new United manager Louis Van Gaal is struggling to formulate an optimal lineup due to a number of short-term player absences.