Rotation or no rotation?

We are playing against Everton tomorrow, Sep 17th and PSV on Sep 20th in Champions League group stage. We then have a North London Derby on Sep 24th and a game against Brentford in Carabao Cup (EFL Cup) third round on Sep 27th. we finish the month with an away game against Bournemouth on Sep 30th. That’s 5 games in 2 weeks, games with only 2 days gap and every game is important. Premier League games are always tough, we are back in Champions League after ages and can’t afford to take PSV lightly and Brentford in Carabao is a very tough opponent who won’t let you breathe for 90min.

Will we handle it comfortably? Time will tell but I seriously hope we do. The most important aspect to deal with these many games would be a concise and thought out rotation. A combination of changes that do not disrupt the team play while making sure no one is overplayed and picks up an injury. You can’t play Saka in all these 5 games and expect him to be on top of his form. Similarly, the load on Ben White at RB needs to be shared by someone else, while making sure it doesn’t cost us a game. Win these 5 and it will help in building confidence. Mess up couple of games or pick up any injury would not only cost us now but in the next games.

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Here’s the case – Arteta has shown very poor rotational skill in his Arsenal Managerial Career. Was it because he learnt it from Wenger to play the same playing XI till someone breaks, or was it that he didn’t have trust in the players on bench? It could very well be his demanding nature because he has told earlier that a player shouldn’t have any problem playing 70 games a year. Whatever it was, I don’t care now because it don’t apply anymore.

Playing the same playing XI every game results in drop in performance when the games come thick and fast. We have seen it with Ben White and Bukayo Saka last season. Mikel has a bench full of players he wanted, and we have spent some very serious money on them, so this is ruled out too. For the third expectation, I am sure he would have understood after seeing Partey break, Saliba / Zinchenko’s injuries and fatigue on the face of Odegaard, Saka, and Martinelli.

On top of that, we were literally playing one game a week last season. We will play a minimum of two per week this season.

I will take the liberty to answer my own question – rotation is a must now. This, not only shares the load between players, but also keeps them happy and in form and in case of injuries, there are back ups with enough game time and match fitness to continue where the injured player has left. Not every player is built like Saka or Xhaka, and can sustain being kicked and players falling on them.

Simples.

Now, lets look at the rotational options.

In the GK department, we have Raya and Ramsdale. Either can get the job done, doesn’t matter who the opponent is. It’s a fight between them to be better than the other, to feature in important games. Let them fight, it’s a good problem to have and we don’t need to worry here.

In defence, we have Ben White at RB. Tomiyasu can play and have played earlier. Cedric is back and most likely will feature in not-so-important games. Ben White has a superb fitness record, so I think RB shouldn’t be a problem. If needed, Kiwior can cover too. At CB, we have Saliba and Gabriel who would pick up most of the games, supported by Kiwior and Tomiyasu. At LB, Zinchenko is the automatic started while Kiwior has played there, Tomiyasu can play too if needed. The problem here is that, ny injury to any of the automatic started in White, Saliba, Gabriel and Zinchenko would mean either of the Tomi or Kiwior picks up the things. This, and along with the need to rotate because we are playing 5 games in 2 weeks would mean a lot of changes in back line. Loaning Tierney wasn’t a wise decision because he provided a sure shot cover at LB, and we needed to worry for only 3 places among White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomi and Kiwior.

Midfield should be fine. Partey / Rice for DM with Elneny in the worst case scenario, Havertz / Vieira / ESR for the attacking mid, Odegaard / ESR / Vieira on the right side; Jorginho can play in any of these positions and has an experienced head.

Front 3 looks fine too with the only problem at RB. At LB, we have Martinelli / Trossard and Nelson while Trossard / Eddie / Jesus can play up top. Saka is only experienced right winger and hasn’t any back up. Luckily, he hasn’t let that matter till now but again in worst case scenario, Jesus can play there, and Martinelli too while Trossard covers the LW. It isn’t a burning problem as such, and we will manage.

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I’m nervous a bit with these run of games. Having not seen Arteta’s rotational skill yet adds to the worry. But, in a way it’s a good that this situation comes for him so early in the season and with somewhat less threating opponents. He will either do the right thing, or he will have to learn from it.

Right, short one today but I will be back again tomorrow with match day blog. Hope your weekend started on a happy side and hope it will end even better.

Cheers.