Saka

comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by CrouchEndGooner (U13531)
posted 8 seconds ago
He might get benched for Brighton depending on who we have available
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But then there is Martinelli starting his 3rd game in a week after a long lay off to think about too. And ESR with a lack of game time.
In danger of starting Laca, Auba, Willian and Pepe
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Are Willian and Auba fit?

Are you a doctor?

Shall I call J99?

I am torn. Martinelli is undroppable, but again..just coming back from injury. ESR has not played successive games so he'd start for me. It sucks that most of our squad is so out of form.

comment by CrouchEndGooner (U13531)
posted 1 hour, 5 minutes ago
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by CrouchEndGooner (U13531)
posted 8 seconds ago
He might get benched for Brighton depending on who we have available
----------------------------------------------------------------------
But then there is Martinelli starting his 3rd game in a week after a long lay off to think about too. And ESR with a lack of game time.
In danger of starting Laca, Auba, Willian and Pepe
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Are Willian and Auba fit?

Are you a doctor?

Shall I call J99?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Glad you follow my comments.

He doesn't need a break until his form starts wobbling. The guy has tons of momentum and confidence behind him right now. Nothing about his performance or attitude suggests he needs a rest right now.

comment by Lexington 125.2 - Give Reiss A Chance (U8879)
posted 2 hours, 6 minutes ago
I agree, but what manager, under the pressure Arteta is, would rest their best player at a potentially critical point that could have a huge bearing on their own career?
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Exact.

Just can't see that happening right now, hopefully Saka/Martinelli will at least get a rest for the FA Cup match against Newcastle.

These Premier League games are just too important now, they are extremely winnable if we perform like we did against Chelsea and they are against teams who could be relegation candidates so we need to beat them.

I'm terrified of Saka getting burned out/injured or Martinelli playing too many minutes too soon but what can we do short of expensive signings in January to help take the burden off of them?

Also consider how Partey was rushed back just to try and beat le potatoes... Arteta is going to do everything to save his own bacon and all of those young players don't have the experience to suggest otherwise, they are all so eager to play too.

comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 2 hours, 8 minutes ago
After West Brom our next league fixure is 12 days later. That is when the opportunity to rest him is.
And if we beat Brighton and West Brom then the opportunities are easier to take.


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yes

I'm so pleased for Martinelli as well, I was also terrified that he was going to lose a yard of pace or some flexibility in his knee but he has come back as good as we could have hoped.

Lets hope Arteta doesnt make another rookie manager mistake and burn him out.

I agree with the OP. We burn him out. Can't afford to lose him due to injury.

Likewise Tierney. The guy is not normal the work he put in. We have no adaquate replacement for both players unfortunately.

It should be Nelson and Pepe starting the next game. Neither Saka nor Martinelli should be anyhere near the starting lineup, I'd leave them out completely myself. Saka has played too much already and taken a couple good whacks too. Martinelli is just back from injury and already almost put straight back on the injured list. I expect the Brighton game to be far too physical for players so precariously perched on the verge of injury. It's a bad idea, just asking for trouble, so Arteta will probably play the both of them.

GT

No a bit normal at all. Energizer bunny forever running, top 5-10% sprinting, sweet left foot and tackles like Roy Keane

He does need a rest though, he was SPENT at the end of the Chelsea game. He'll keep on going but you can see he needs a break.