Although it is clear to everyone that by far the most important of the next two games that Arsenal will play is the second of the two away to Man City in the Premier League, I still think that Arsene Wenger should be selecting strong Arsenal line-up to face Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League on Thursday, for a few good reasons.
First of all Gooners, we all know that players in the modern world of football are superbly fit and should have no problem whatsoever in playing two games in the space of three days. There is perhaps a small risk of a key player picking up a knock and being ruled out of the trip to Manchester but that can happen at any time and should not stop the boss using his players if it is the best thing for the club at the time.
I am not saying that the Frenchman should play the same 11 that he plans to start on Sunday, but he should pick a strong side that is very likely to win on Thursday. We are at home, after all, so there is none of the travel time involved as there was going to Serbia or Belarus.
I also think that we need to get the job done this week and all three points will guarantee progression in Europe and thereby allow Wenger to field a weaker team in the final two games. The next is away to Cologne and is followed by a tough trip to Burnley. The last is at home but the kick off time on that Sunday, which is another away game against Southampton, is stupidly enough set for midday.
Let’s get the job done against Red Star and get the form and football flowing ready for Man City shall we?
Bob.