The Arsenal manager has been clear about what he expects from his players when it comes to fitness requirements, which could have backfired for the Gunners late in the season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may have left an egg on his face when he spoke out in October, sticking to the stance that top players should be able to play every three days.
The Gunners have seen their title challenge crumble since star centre-back William Saliba suffered a back injury in mid-March in the Europa League second leg against Sporting. Arsenal will also reportedly have to go through the remainder of the season without first-choice left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko.
A decline in quality from Saliba to assistant Rob Holding has hampered Arsenal’s play, and in the absence of the Frenchman the Gunners have dropped points against Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton to win the title. It was no coincidence that they suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat. Manchester City rivals.
Some blamed Arteta for Saliba’s injury, while others argued the 22-year-old defender was overplaying and, given the Gunners had their sights set on winning a bigger title, it would have been a bad move at home against Sporting. He argued that there was little reason to start him.
Right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu was also injured that night, and in a competition that many supporters claimed was not a priority, Arsenal had two season-ending injuries in the same game just minutes apart. I have lost.
All of the aforementioned injuries have certainly done some damage to Arsenal, and if Tomiyasu had been fit, Ben White could have joined to fill the void for Saliba.
Let us know what you think! Has Arsenal been hurt by injuries this season? Comment below
But Arteta is clear about how often top players can be expected to be called up.
Late last year, he told the media: “Look at the top players in the world. They play 70 games every three days, make a difference and win games.
“If you want to be at the top, you have to be able to do it. I think we are making a big mistake if we start to plant something different in the minds of young players because now it’s yes or no. ‘I don’t play, I don’t play Astroturf, I don’t want that.
“I want them to be ruthless every three days. They will knock on my door. [saying] “I want to play, I want to win games.”
Arteta has been particularly fired up in bolstering his stance on the issue, stating: “There is no fitness coach in the world who says he can’t do it because he’s seen it. He’s played 72 games and scored 50 goals. I’ve decided,” he added. It’s impossible for players to play 38 games in a season and not score 50 goals.”
Arteta’s allegations are legitimate, but that doesn’t erase the fact that he lost two players in a Europa League draw while chasing the title.
Zinchenko’s injury was fairly recent, with the Ukrainian ending his injury-hit Emirates debut on the sideline.
