I keep hearing Saka is injured but why isn't he taken out of the team and rested? What good is playing a injured player continuously and how must the bench feel that your manager keeps picking him and not trusting them.

This is all assuming if Saka is genuinely injured and not faking it.

Saka has had knocks all the season but still plays as Arteta does not trust the likes of Nelson.
Just make you wonder what then was the point of renewing Nelson’s contract and bumping up his wages.

I think the issue is that all the reserve players you’ve mentioned in the OP are not very good.

comment by Robbing Hoody - I taught Szoboszlai how to cushion half volleys (U6374)
posted 14 minutes ago
I think the issue is that all the reserve players you’ve mentioned in the OP are not very good.
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This is the problem but then I think some players can show more when they are given an extended run for a few games rather than the odd cameo here and there. We will never know if someone like Vieira could have done a decent job if he got 3, 4, 5 games in a row to give Saka some proper recovery time. I never would have thought Kiwior would have looked like a first team player until he got a run of games.

It's the lack of subbing that mystifies me as an outsider looking in. Rice and Saka for example average 83 minutes per appearance.

There's been plenty of games where Arsenal have been 2/3/4 goals up where you could sub them out sooner and give them a break.

It comes down to trust. Mourinho and Conte are the same which is why they only like small squads. Mourinho will play the players he doesn't like once, they'll play badly and then he'll say "that's why I don't play them". I suspect Arteta has a similar mindset.

comment by Robbing Hoody - I taught Szoboszlai how to cus... (U6374)
posted 1 hour, 26 minutes ago
I think the issue is that all the reserve players you’ve mentioned in the OP are not very good.
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That's not true though.
Vieira was playing very well before his injury. ESR in form is an England International. Elneny is more than able to do a job.. Nelson is unproven due to his lack of minutes but can impact in games. Kiwior is more than good enough to cover at CB. Then there are talented youngsters who aren't getting a look in.

Put it this way, the likes of Bradley, Dann etc wouldn't have got a look in under Arteta. Cedric or Partey would play full back. Trossard, Havertz would play up front.

Saka has been injured since before the England game. The reason why Arteta keeps playing him is that he is crucial to how our system works. Saka has lost a burst or acceleration because of his Achilles and dodgy hamstring. But Saka and Odegaard are essential to our passing schemes. Saka can still do that, playing with the injury.

The issue has been on the other wing. Because Odegaard/Saka are essentially creating space using their movement and passing. The strikers come from the other side to balance. Martinelli missed a glorious chance in the first half yesterday, and Havertz/Jesus are very poor finishers. That's where the goals are supposed to come from.

Comment deleted by Article Creator

Absolutely no excuse for failing to sub these guys off when we're cruising a few goals up in games. Or when playing in dead rubbers in European group stages.

Understand starting them for virtually every meaningful game though, Arteta has got results doing so. I'd absolutely prefer and hope we start properly rotating though, it's a skill like many others and the best managers do this at the right time.

comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 3 hours, 30 minutes ago
It's the lack of subbing that mystifies me as an outsider looking in. Rice and Saka for example average 83 minutes per appearance.

There's been plenty of games where Arsenal have been 2/3/4 goals up where you could sub them out sooner and give them a break.
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I never understood why Arteta didnt give Ramsdale the second half to give him game time when we were 5-0 up at half time against Sheff Utd when he knew Ramsdale had to play the next games against Brentford as Raya couldnt play

Arsenal players who started 40 matches this season:

1. Gabriel
2. Saliba
3. Ødegaard
4. White
5. Rice
6. Saka
7. Havertz

Man City players who started 40 matches this season:

0.

I think we are all agreed this is a huge problem - unfortunately nobody around Arteta has the b@lls to give it to him straight - too many ‘Yes Men’ protecting their jobs.

LB, LW and striker are the only positions with rotation. If Timber had been fit it is fair to believe he would be in that list as well. And if Jesus had stayed fit would he also have started 40 as well?
Which basically means the only position he rotates out of rotation choice is LW.

comment by Tu Meke (U3732)
posted 4 hours, 24 minutes ago
Arsenal players who started 40 matches this season:

1. Gabriel
2. Saliba
3. Ødegaard
4. White
5. Rice
6. Saka
7. Havertz

Man City players who started 40 matches this season:

0.
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That’s crazy

comment by Tu Meke (U3732)
posted 4 hours, 25 minutes ago
Arsenal players who started 40 matches this season:

1. Gabriel
2. Saliba
3. Ødegaard
4. White
5. Rice
6. Saka
7. Havertz

Man City players who started 40 matches this season:

0.
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Really? That's insane. What about Liverpool?

comment by Bats Uncensored (U18355)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Tu Meke (U3732)
posted 4 hours, 24 minutes ago
Arsenal players who started 40 matches this season:

1. Gabriel
2. Saliba
3. Ødegaard
4. White
5. Rice
6. Saka
7. Havertz

Man City players who started 40 matches this season:

0.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That’s crazy
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The top 6 I'm fine with but Havertz getting over 40 starts is crazy

Havertz hasn't had 40 starts for Arsenal

Aye looked it up, 37. But still even without Havertz on that list, its crazy