Just start with the best line up, then if we’ve got a comfortable lead, do what we did against Crystal Palace and bring on players like Jorginho to close down the game.
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And repeat for the rest of the season…
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The opportunities for resting players like Saka goes down over the next 5-6 games i think, so it is going to be very interesting to see how Arteta handles it after our burn out last year.
We are facing ManU, Spurs, Man City, and Chelsea all in the next 7 games… possible opps to rotate a bit seem to be this game (Fulham), at Everton, and at Bournemouth.
Weve played 2 games in the PL
Why are we discussing rotation at this stage? We have a bigger squad now to cope with those things further down the line. For now we play our best side every game, surely?
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its a long season and players aren’t necessarily yet in peak fitness either… at some point you have to start that process - it both facilitates other players being useful when you need them down the stretch and it gives the guys you want in EVERY big game a chance to refuel, both physically and mentally.
I’d agree it may be too early to think about it while we only have 1 game per week essentially, but the next 7 games are going to be a tough run.
To be fair, just looking at EPL, we have 3 games in Oct and 3 in Nov… then 7 in Dec…
Our resting should start with subs anyway.
The issue we saw last year, right from the start really, was Arteta doing everything in his power not to look to his bench.
In that crazy run last season, City started their main guys, got a good lead and then they hooked them off about 60 minutes.
This is what we need to start doing really. These 25-30(add another 10 with the new stoppage time approach) at home should be used to get other players into the pitch while we see out matches.
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I think it’s games played, not started.
Haven’t verified it but it would make sense seeing Arteta rested him after an international break earlier in the year. He used Trossard on the right instead.
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yeah that is a good point… our subs need increased usage earlier in games overall… those last 15-30 minutes probably cause the most stress on bodies anyway.
You’ve got to get the squad involved. It is something that Pep does brilliantly. Granted he has more games to do this, but the likes of Alvarez, Foden, Palmer even, Ake, Lewis would all be ready to perform on the weekend as they’re being integrated already.
The likes of Kiwior, Jorginho, ESR, Vieira and even Trossard and Gabriel are coming in a little cold.
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This is the kind of fixture where we should feel confident to use the squad a bit as well. Kiwior is more than good enough to play left back against Fulham. Jorginho could get 90 mins rather than Partey. Maybe you plan for Nelson to come on so Saka only does the hour in this game etc.
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We now have the depth. Arteta has no excuse for not rotating this time around. We’re a very unpredictable team in terms of personnel, this will likely be our best weapon to compete on all fronts this season.
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It’s the 3rd game of the season and the team has not found cohesion yet. Why would you want rotation?
This easy game should be used to have our first team get more used to the new plan.
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Couldn’t agree more. You overdo this here and the team struggles, you then have the team chase it up late, perhaps too late. You may end up dropping unexpected points from an otherwise “easy” game.
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Yeah but 1 or 2 changes should not be an issue. Maybe you start strong but plan for rotation once you have the lead.
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Oh, I’m ok with 1 or 2 changes. I was thinking more were suggested. Apologies.
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Could somebody create a poll? Bar Tomiyasu, do you think we should make any changes for this game? ’
Changes aside, we should be playing our strongest possible team.
Rotation can come when we’re winning or later on, we need to create momentum, we need the team to perform well together.
What is our strongest team though? Without Jesus, is Eddie definitely a better option than Havertz or Trossard at CF? Is Gabriel no longer in our strongest team? Is Partey no longer in our strongest midfield?
Only Mikel knows that, and whatever it is he should be playing it
I do think we more or less know what the “strongest” lineup is. There are certain players who are the first names on the team sheet at the minute if fit.
Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, Jesus and Martinelli.
These are the 9 players that I think will start most weeks. I feel Zinchenko will be in there as well now that he’s returned, and I actually think Timber would’ve been the other one had it not been for his injury.
Partey will be phased out in favour of Rice. And I think Gabriel would’ve taken the fall for Timber.
Timber’s injury means he has another season as a starter for us I think.