Part of Mikel Arteta’s job is to manage the resources he has.
The Spaniard has a right to think he can rotate against Championship opposition, Southampton and expect to find himself in an FA Cup semi-final. Some Gooners might expect rotation with a trip to Portugal in midweek, followed by Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Yet two players possibly pencilled in to start at Saint Mary’s, but not in Lisbon, might benefit from a mental rest after heartbreak on Tuesday.
Managing Fatigue and Form
While several Gunners pulled out of international duty, Noorgarrd and Calafiori have had two weeks of carrying the weight of a nation’s anxiety. While it is easier not to be in Denmark and Italy to face the backlash, both might benefit from a few days to rest.
Gyokeres is the opposite; he has just had the best week of his season. After being part of a golden generation attack criticised by the Swedish media during their qualifying group, the striker scored 4 goals in the playoffs.
Should Arsenal take advantage of his newfound confidence by playing him on Saturday, or does the 27-year-old need to be wrapped up in cotton wool for his return to Portugal?
Selection Dilemmas Ahead
That could be the question mark over the entire team. The Carabo Cup Final would have hurt our self-belief. The majority did not show up at Wembley, with the international break meaning they have had to wait two weeks to get that loss out of their system. Bearing in mind, very few have had many minutes since collecting their runner-up medals.
While many will benefit from an unofficial break, the temptation might be to play them back into form at Saint Mary’s.
How, for example, do you manage Saka’s workload in the next week?
The only way he finds his mojo is by playing well, which he could do against Southampton, but then you gamble playing someone who has looked tired recently when you have bigger fish to fry later in the week. Yet do we want the 24-year-old heading to the Portuguese capital low on self-belief?
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Jesus.
Martinelli. Havertz. Saka.
Rice. Norgaard.
Skelly. Calafiori. Mosquera. White.
Kepa.
Subs –
Gyokeres, Trossard, Downman, Annous, Zubimendi, Gabriel, Saliba, Salmon, Raya.
Injured –
Odegaard
Timber
Hincapie
Eze
Madueke
Merino
Let the coach select the team he thinks can win the game, Southampton is currently having a good winning spell and has always been difficult to beat at st.Mary’s by Arsenal. So if we want the cup, we have to play our best players.
Actually clueless on what the hell has happened to Saka, a drop in physical qualities especially in acceleration or quick turn is expected after a hamstring injury but his mental game is dropped off a cliff. His decision making and calmness used to be his biggest asset is gone, he has missed like a dozen 1v1 or easy chances could have easily been up to 20 goals scored in this season. how many times did he have an easy layup for Gyokeres or other attackers and just selfishly went for goals and had a woeful attempt at it.
Kepa,
White, Mosquera, Saliba, Calafiori,
Lewis-Skelly, Norrgard, Havertz,
Dowman, Martinelli, Jesus.
I guess we’ll find out on Saturday who is really injured and who isn’t wont we.
Not necessarily Derek – we’ve got Bournemouth to think about as well.
Ken1945,
I think that some of them are carrying knocks to be fare. Not surprising really at this stage of the season.
I’m even carrying a finger injury myself, having typed a lot on the JA page for the last 8 months. But I’ll just grin and bear it. 😂👍
we will wind out when we go to Portugal as always a chance he chooses to rest players regardless
I know its off topic, but as we don’t give the women much coverage. Can I just congratulate them on reaching the Champions League Semi-Finals.
And just one other thing, next time we feel like questioning the officials in the men’s game. Spare a thought for the women’s game.
Now while I’m delighted to see us go through to the Semi-Finals, Chelsea got two bad decisions given against them. Their first disallowed goal at the Emirates was soft. And how McCabe wasn’t sent off in the second leg is anyone’s guess.
Not even a free-kick was given, and don’t get me started on why VAR didn’t tell the Ref to review her decision.
maybe the officials are bias and there is a conspiracy against Chelsea lol
Dan i thought you always say it evens themselves out in the course of the season and moreover,in our game in WSL first leg at the Emirates,the refree disallowed 2 good goals scored by Arsenal against this same Chelsea Women.
Derek, I agree with you about McCabe, she should’ve been sent off for that hair tugging, but that ref was terrible all night.
Herr Drier,
I thought that the referee’s in both legs were bad to be fare.