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There is no doubt that Arsenal looked like a completely different team yesterday with youngsters Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe in the starting lineup. The changes were forced in part on Mikel Arteta due to Covid-19 protocols, but it completely transformed the attitude and enthusiasm on the side.
Chelsea didn’t really get into the game until 20 minutes before the end, and Martin Keown thinks this was because Arteta decided to take off a couple of our young stars, hopefully to protect them with games that still go strong and fast in next week. Keown said in his Mail column: “Arteta must continue with this approach. There was a simplicity about it. The back four were solid and the two wide men were cutting on the inside and causing problems for Chelsea. “
Smith Rowe was eliminated in the 65th minute and Martinelli in the 71st. It was then that Arsenal went through the most difficult stage of the game. His work rate went down. The Martinelli closure was lost.
Arteta knows that he has to manage the energy levels of his young players, given how demanding the Christmas calendar is.
But the good news for the Arsenal manager is that they were able to see victory and he can turn to these kids again. They brought something special to the team.
He is right, of course, as the energy of the youngsters is not limitless and it would be better to limit their playing time so that we can continue to bring out the best in them, especially as Martinelli and Smith-Rowe have recently returned from a long injury. -offs.
As much as we don’t want our best players to be substituted, Arteta has to find a sensible balance to keep them all fit and fresh …
