Kevin Campbell has tipped Mikel Arteta to rest Bukayo Saka for Arsenal’s next league game against Fulham.
Saka has been a mainstay in the current Arsenal teams since he broke into the starting XI.
He has been reliable, but there is always the risk of him being overused by the Gunners.
He was in solid form as they overturned a first-leg 1-1 draw against Slavia Prague by beating them 4-0 to book a semifinal place in the Europa League.
Gabriel Martinelli didn’t start the game, but he almost scored when he entered and that would have been a follow up to his goal against Sheffield United.
Campbell thinks the Brazilian is now ready to start games and he expects Arteta to give him a chance against Fulham whilst resting Saka.
He says the Brazilian has shown in his last two games that he can make a contribution and that gives Arteta the chance to rotate his team a little.
“I think he’ll start Martinelli but I think Arteta is going to look after him,” Campbell told Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs.
“He played the full 90 minutes against Sheffield United and he came on off the bench yesterday and could’ve scored. He did really well, showing his speed and quality.
“Now Arteta has competition for places he can rest Saka now and put Martinelli in, he can chop and change if he wants.
“The great this is that Martinelli is fit now, he’s there and he’s getting minutes which is fantastic after such a lengthy spell on the sidelines.”
Sensible approach in player management and rotation to give Saka a break and play Martinelli.
Yes, better start Pepe in RW and Martinelli in LW. However, I predict Arteta would start Saka in RW again, because he took Saka off in Prague
What??? I cant believe anyone would still want Pepe to play RW when it’s unbelievable clear that hes better in the LW position.
If Martinelli or Aubameyang plays LW, Pepe can only play RW
Besides, Pepe’s best season in France was when he played RW. If he trains hard for both positions, he’ll be unpredictable for the opponents
Who cares what he did in France, this is EPL! Pepe has proven he’s much better on the LW in the EPL
Do you disagree?
He currently performs well in LW, but it’s only a matter of time till the opponents figure out his movements on the left wing. So he’d better be ready to return to RW, especially if Saka gets injured
I have to agree !
Rest Saka, Pepe and Lacazette
Start Martinelli, Willain and Aubameyang
Morning
I thinks aubes is still recovering so I would think he will.make it
I would much prefer to give the kids a run out today rather than willian
I would start pepe on the lw as long as he is fit to play as he seems to gain confidence the more he plays
Martinelli to start but play him up top but a good run out would be good for him and us as well
Love fulham as they are very dear to me but I think we will hammer the nails in to the coffin for them today
4 -1 win today
Manager should rest whoever needs a rest based on player feedback and physio/medical/fitness teams advice
Yes, he should have already, and must be rested to avoid injury.
So does Xhaka who can use this game to do so. Laca did not play as much.
Part of our bad result is to not rotate when needed and possible. We do so when players injured to realize we have options.
This is most complete squad in over a decade. We always had an issue at CB or and DM position, while back we were in need of striker! got Laca and Auba.
In middle we were missing attacking players, we have Odengaar, Rowe, Ceballos or even Xhaka who can play higher…
We had weakness in wings, we have Pepe, Saka, Martinelli who can play all accross attack, Nelson who can also play in middle…
We actually have so many options and it does takes injuries to see it…
Or we would of course be in same non sense with Luiz imposed as first CB choicz constantly.
Players have no excuse anymore. This was a major issue as it all starts from the back. Without reliable CBs, all defense and midfields are forced to cover for him, then for each others.
We saw &LB constantly doing so, Xhaka always, obliges someone to cover him, and himself be covered as they have their own man to track.
Then attacking players must alsi do so and we look like a totally lost team with no action and football..
CB position is most important in that sense; affects all team and game as we saw over and over…
im very confident, we have the squad to get any team in big trouble.
Obviously this is the best option. Saka has played so many games m. Whilst he has been brilliant he has had 2 or 3 injury scares recently. Lets put pepe on the right and martinelli on the left.
I would also like to see balogun start actually. Do we need a new striker next season or can this guy do the job lets find out ?
Saka deserves a rest. I noticed ESR isn’t sharp when played in two games within four days. He might start from the bench if the coaching team know this. If given the opportunity to select the team, I won’t mind giving Nelson a chance here. Let him take the right wing while Martineli takes the left. I would have loved to give Nkettia a chance at the middle but starting him and Nelson at the same time when we need points would be too much of a risk on the team’s shape. Willian can take a free role behind the striker.
Nelson!!! Knew I was missing someone below…. yes would like to see him play also today.
Leave the back 5 alone today is the first thing, xhaka will be fine against Fulham… I hope!!
Let Partey & Cabellos play in front with Ødegaard ahead plus SmithRowe off the bench if needed. If Martin is still injured then Eleney alongside Partey and Danny ahead.
I would give the Kids a go on the attacking this one and see what they have got with Laca directing tragic up top.
Martinelli starts on the LW, Bolugun out right to see where he is actually at in terms of 1st team and the wing always a good place to start to see the game with Laca integrating with them.
Sean, Martin Odegaard is still recovering from his ankle injury for Norway. He starts light training next week, so unavailable for selection.