Mikel Arteta opted to name a strong line-up against Athletic Club.
Except for Martin Ødegaard, he fielded the same XI that started against Nottingham Forest.
While starting his strongest side is not necessarily a problem, some felt it was not needed. Many believed this was the kind of fixture where he could have rotated, an opportunity to showcase the depth of his squad.
With expectations high that Arteta would flex his summer signings, some anticipated full debuts for Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Piero Hincapié. But that was not the case.
Reaction to Arsenal Going Full Strength
Paul Robinson was among those surprised by Arteta’s selection.
“I’ll be honest, I was surprised when I saw his team selection before this game with that in mind,” the former Tottenham man told the Football Daily podcast, as reported by the BBC.
“Mikel Arteta has shown tonight that he is literally taking one game at a time, because if he’s looking towards Sunday as a huge pivotal game, I’m not so sure that starting XI would be exactly the same.
“I expected one or two tweaks in that tonight. He went full tilt.”
Going strong did not entirely pay off. It was the substitutes, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, who combined to win the game for Arsenal.
Creating On-Field Relationships
Even so, with the depth Arteta now has following a busy summer window, it is likely he is trying to settle on his strongest XI. And that only comes with time, as players build chemistry and understand each other’s movements.
Having named near-identical line-ups against Forest and Athletic, the Spaniard now has a clearer idea of who he can trust against Manchester City, and who he cannot.
Following their narrow defeat to Liverpool, Arsenal cannot afford another loss to a direct title rival.
Gooners will be hoping Arteta goes full tilt again this time for a famous Emirates win.
What are your thoughts ahead of Sunday’s game? What would you do differently?
Daniel O
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I put in my post for the game, there was NO rotation. What is a big squad for? It has to change, we will see.
My suggestion:
Martinelli Gyokeres Madueke
Eze Rice Odegaard (if avail.-otherwise Nwaneri)
MLS Gabriele Saliba Timber
Raya
Please, regardless of the comments. It is not right to change for changing sake. The season is just starting, so barring injury, players can play for now without need for rest. Changes at this point should only be for tactical reasons. You need to create flow and player onfield understanding and relationship by fielding the same players. Many of you like criticizing the manager for nothing sake.
He is free to do whatever he wants to get result. He has his best players out already, he has to field the team he feels is strongest to get the job done. Just imagine starting UCL campaign with a draw. That would have invited pressure this early. The team he is selecting is giving performance so I don’t expect complain as long as an underperforming player is dropped for a player who is ready to deliver performance.
“When he rotates and loses, these same pundits will be the first to crucify him for changing a winning team. This was only the first matchday in the Champions League, and Paul Robinson is already talking about rotation? That’s completely off point.”