Charles Watts has claimed that Matt Smith should start for Arsenal against Bodo/Glimt in Norway in place of Granit Xhaka tomorrow.
The Swiss midfielder has played almost every minute of our Premier League season thus far, as well as starting both of our two Europa League fixtures thus far this term also, and with Mo Elneny currently out injured, it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see Xhaka start once again.
Watts has urged the manager to give him a rest however, and has called on Arteta to five Matt Smith his first ever start for the club, having been an unused substitute on a number of occasions.
“Honestly, I’ll be tempted to start Matt Smith in this one,” CW told his YouTube followers.
“He’s been in around it for a while now, been on the bench, he’s not got any minutes.
“I just I really fear about starting Granit Xhaka again. You’ve got to find a way of giving Granit a little bit of time to rest.
“He can’t keep starting all of these games.
“I mean, he’s no spring chicken – I know he’s not mid-30s, but still, you’ve got to give him a rest at some point.
“I imagine it could well be tomorrow so we’ll wait and see on that.”
I definitely believe we should look at giving Xhaka a little rest, especially given how important he has been for us in recent months. It would be a major loss to lose him as we look to keep pace with Manchester City in the Premier League table. With the artificial surface in use in Norway, there is already worries about the condition of our players after the fixture, and given our 100% record in the competition thus far, I would definitely be resting as many players as possible regardless.
With that in mind, I’m all for us using the extended squad for tomorrow’s clash, and Xhaka would be very high on my wishlist of players to get a night off.
Which other players would you be most keen to see rested tomorrow?
Patrick
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Tunner
Cedric Holding Tomiyaso Tierney
Viera Lokogan Matt Smith
Marquez Eddie Nelson. I believe with that solid defense we can at list secure a draw
Sounds good for me, and this is what the squad rotation for
Xhaka should be left back in London and be no where near the traveling team.
Since Arteta wants his managed Gunners team to win any other game that they will play this season ever since they last lost a big Epl game match at away to Man Utd. For me, I will rather preferred to see Arteta name a very strong Gunners team for the Arsenal Europa League 3rd 2nd leg match at away to Bodo/Glimt later today’s night.
Us Gooners all know that Xhaka is a rock of gilbata in the Arsenal team. More especially in their midfield where he has excelled and is still excelling as he rarely get sidelined with injury picked or sustained. A plus credit to him which makes him always available for selection to start every game for Arsenal
therefore, Arteta should in my humble opinion start Xhaka in Arsenal’s Bodo match tonight in Norway.
But I certainly will not be against the Arsenal 22 year old midfielder, Matt Smith to come off the bench to play for Arsenal in the match. So that he will show case the mettle he’s made off for Arsenal in the match to see when Arteta introduces him in the match in the 2nd half. Yes! Matt Smith could be the next revealed Hale End graduate gem for Arsenal after Saka. But he has to bid for his time patiently as Arteta introduces him gently in some Cup matches to play for Arsenal. Before he can claim a starting role for the Gunners if he passed the test with flying colours. And hopefully he will.
My preferred to see Arteta’s Arsenal strong starts for Bodo:
Turner;
Soares Holding Magalhaes Tomiyasu;
Xhaka Vieira Lokonga;
Marquinhnos Nkethia Martinelli.
As us have watched Bodo gave Arsenal a thought game to play in the first leg match at the Ems. But in which Arsenal eventually won by beating them 3 goals to nil.
Nevertheless, all hands in the Gunners camp should be on deck to forestall any havoc in the match which Bodo might have planned to do to Arsenal to steal a point. Hence, the strong Arsenal starts that I’ve proposed above.
We know Jesus is definitely not in the squad for this game and is staying here and Arteta has confirmed we will all know this morning who else has been left at home.