Arsenal: Two players who have been under-utilized by SE
The Gunners have it all to do, if they are to compete for more silverware this season, following the FA Cup win from last May. Wenger’s wizards, after pummeling Manchester City in the FA Community shield, haven’t had an enviable start to their campaign, which, so far, has seen them win two games from five competitive outings.
However, once the international break culminates, Arsenal have a fixture pileup to contend with, and it remains to be seen whether the North Londoners can manage the action-packed months ahead, without rotating their relatively big squad.
While the likes of Sanchez, Ramsey, Monreal and Debuchy have seen plenty of game time – something that will have its ill-effects, as the season rolls along; a couple of other members of the Arsenal squad have reasons to be aggrieved of the lack of chances, even sporadically.
Here are the two players who have been rather underutilized by Wenger:
Tomas Rosicky
The Czech International, who featured 39 times for the Gunners in all competitions last season, has reasons to be disillusioned at the lack of playing time this season. Albeit it’s understandable that the acquisition of Sanchez, and the subsequent changes in formation, hasn’t helped matters for Rosicky, the 34-year old would not be amused by falling way behind in the Arsenal pecking order.
Rosicky said:
“It’s too early to panic. The season is yet to get going, the Champions League will begin and it will be a roller-coaster of fixtures.
“We will see what the situation looks like in the coming weeks and months, how it develops. I’m naturally disappointed not to have been given a chance but not panicking yet.
“All I can do now is to train properly and show that I’m prepared. And when the chance comes, to take it.
“The lack of match practice has been absolutely terrible and, naturally, it makes me very sorry that I haven’t been given a chance yet.
“It is difficult mainly because you know that the potential of the team is elsewhere and we haven’t done well so far. I think I could have helped but, unfortunately, I can’t put myself on the pitch.”
While there are plenty more games to look forward to this season, it’s not given that Rosicky will enjoy game time, consequently.
It’s going to be intriguing viewing, as we wait to see whether Rosicky can find some sort of game time, which is of equal importance for himself and Arsenal.
Joel Campbell
The Costa Rican and his representative have been fuming over Wenger’s decision to not let the 22-year old go out on loan, for the fourth successive season, when it is rather obvious that he is ‘not’ going to enjoy the lion’s share of game time in this Arsenal squad.
Having had an impressive 45 minutes against Benfica in the Emirates cup, it was anticipated that Campbell would feature regularly for Arsenal; but after those 45 inspiring minutes for the Costa Rican, he has just seen 24 minutes of action – 7 minutes in the FA Community Shield and 17 minutes in the draw against Everton – and it is difficult to see any improvement in the youngster getting more game time, as the season progresses.
Why Arsenal could pay the price for underutilizing the aforementioned duo?
From Arsenal’s point of view, they need all their players in top condition, as and when they are required to feature for the North Londoners. However, in Rosicky and Campbell’s case, it’s proving to be the exact opposite; and, if Arsenal are hampered by another couple of injuries, Rosicky and Campbell might be expected to step up to the levels expected of the individual they are replacing, which, by no means, is going to be easy.
Final Thought
Albeit Arsenal are just a month into the campaign, it’s difficult to see Rosicky and Campbell making regular appearances. In fact, with the 4-3-3 system in place, it’s hard to envisage which positions the duo gets to feature at, if at all they manage to see some competitive minutes on the pitch.
Bottom Line is that Rosicky and Campbell are rather under-utilized and Arsenal and Wenger should consider this very carefully….
Suhith
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