In news that will come as no surprise to anyone, Arsene Wenger has admitted that Alexis Sanchez in the fabled ‘red zone’, after his all-action displays this season.
The Chilean is the club’s leading scorer and his effort and work-rate is second to none, even late in the game. That has raised concerns that a player used to a winter break following spells in Serie A and La Liga might break down over the busy festive schedule in England.
He is in the red zone,” said the boss. “You can see that when he plays, but he can dig deep. I think he played his 27th game since the start of the season on Wednesday, if you consider the international games and the travelling on top of that.
“Unfortunately, you never know how far you can push. We are not scientific enough to predict that completely, but he has great recovery potential. He recovers very quickly and he is always very sharp and ready to play.
“He has a huge desire, no complex and a fighting attitude. Even when he misses something, it doesn’t affect him. I believe as well he is very mobile, very determined and he has the sense to be in the right place in the box.”
Tomorrow’s game against Stoke is no time to give him a rest but the Arsenal manager might view the midweek clash against Galatasaray as one in which he can bench the former Barcelona man and only use him if needed.
And following the Newcastle game on December 13th there’s an eight day gap until we play Liverpool on December 21st, so that’s another chance to rest some weary legs and recharge the batteries.
It’s a balancing act for the manager. He’d be criticised for leaving him out of the team if the result wasn’t right, but also castigated for overplaying him if he picked up an injury.
Let’s hope a good performance against Stoke means he can put his feet up in midweek.
I really hope we use the Gala game to give a few players a much needed rest. They are the weakest team in our group and even with a few players rested we should beat them
I’d be looking to sub him off against Stoke RFC as soon as we’re in a position to do it.
So the 88th minute?
and give our other players a well deserved chance (Podolski, Rosicky, Campbell)
Obvious post is obvious
Arsene Wenger also said that he would hand Abou Diaby a new contract. Lol.
He’ll get a paper cut from it which will get infected and he’ll be out for 6 months.
arsene can use his own money to pay for abou’s new contract. please dun take us for some french charitable organisation.
Yep, my thoughts exactly. How can anyone be so stubborn by avoiding the fact that the player himself is never again gonna be match fit.
Seriously I am wenger in till after the season when we are have secured 4th, then I’ll be #wengerout.
It needs to be pay as you play contract otherwise money down the drain.
Not really, since Diaby isn’t accepting wages while he’s out injured.
People say that now and then but I don’t think there’s ever been any confirmation of it. Could be wrong but it sounds like one of those things that’s a myth.
vs Gala
Martinez
Debu(Bellerin) Per Chambers Gibbs
Flamini Ramsey
Campbell Santi Poldi
Sanogo
or Rosicky should sell potatoes outside North London!
Rosicky any day. All day. every week.
He’s injured I think
Yup. Thigh apparently.
If I am right.. Chambers is also played almost every match for our team.. He needs.. Oh wait.. We dont have that many defenders.. DO WE ?
Per also needs a break but with 6 players covering 4 spots & 3 of them injured its impossible.
For me knowing when to rest and rotate players is where AW has come up short recently. Scratch that, he’s never been great with rotation. Sanchez and some others need to be carefully managed through this hectic phase of the season. We have the talent and experience to finish in the top 2-3 places this term, but little things like R&R will have a big part to play.
Rotation isn’t really necessary until late November. Before then it just breaks up the partnerships that you’re trying to develop. Better to use the subs around the front 5/6 to reduce fatigue, but unfortunately the in-game injuries have made that impossible in some games and just difficult in others. If we’d hit the ground running and winning from day one then rotation is quite easy but when the team isn’t ‘clicking’ it’s a much more difficult thing to do. I don’t think AW is bad at rotation but he certainly doesn’t seem to be great at using the subs.
“Rotation isn’t really necessary until late November”, how scientific
Provided he’s done a pre-season a fit player should manage 15-20 games (inc cups, CL etc) without a fatigue issue. Without a pre-season that’s down to 10-15 games (depending on the player & his position). December is when the tiredness starts to get a real hold. Little knocks don’t heal as quick and the aches don’t go away. Ask any footballer!
You are talking through your hole actually- every athlete is different, with different needs. You generalise and assume that all players are the same physically and mentally, and that all positions have the same physical demand. Some players get knocks in August and need rest early, some don’t. As a manager you manage your available resources based on the length of a season- there is even software to help you. Ask any manager!
You’re right about getting knocks (which is why I mentioned little knocks) but that’s about injury rather than fatigue, To a fair degree you’re also right about the position and player (as I said ‘depending on the player and position’). But no player should be fatigued after less than 10 games without a decent pre-season or 15 with a decent pre-season and without getting a ‘heavy’ knock. CB’s are more about injury than fatigue as they tend to put less distance in than FBs etc etc. Mentally they pretty much want to play every game but the aches are what… Read more »
Hey, give Martinez another game. He doesn’t spill the ball. We all know that’s how you get ants.
Just the tip? Anyone? Rampage!
Emi does kinda look like Archer… all he really needs is the turtleneck.
No problem – Enjoy the rampage.
Wenger should rest Alexis against Stoke. Everybody knows how physical and dirty they play against us. Plus, they will have a plan for stopping Alexis. Stoke has never had any other plans other than trying to intimidate physically. Wenger should let Giroud and Welbeck deal with them. If it wasn’t for goals, I would start Sanogo in the middle of attack and Welbeck on wing but these two are not goal machines.
Definitely agree with giving Giroud and Wellbeck the start.
And with any luck Danny will get another gold star for kneeing Sh*wcross in the nuts.
So rest him then. Play Ox, Welbeck and Giroud against Stoke. You can bring on Poldi for one of them if required.
Is 3 points against Stoke worth losing him for an extended period? Besides we should still have enough to beat Stoke without him…
This. Yes, I was thinking the same thing. Start Giroud up front, give Stoke a good battering.
DANGER ZONE!
*Archer’s voice*
Incidentally, I think Blogs looks a lot like the guy who voices Sterling Archer.
Don’t rest him against Stoke! My fantasy league team would be in tatters
Need a song for him, maybe
Yeaaaaaah, Alexis on fire to the tune of (kings of Leon – sex on fire)
By far the best one this season has been…
“Ohhhhhhhhhh….. spinaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”
Almost good enough to sing every time a goalie kicks the ball.
I have the antidote for the dangerzone. Archer has it for breakfast everyday.
I would put him on the bench and bring him on if things start to go pear-shaped.
That was my thought too with the only concern tired muscles coming on cold. Danny Ollie and Ox should be able to do the job with Santi stirring the pot.
Alexis just needs to paint his hair red.
Where is Bionik Barry when you need him?
If Alexis injured… We’re fucked.
Rest him play giroud wellbeck sanogo/ oxo
I’m worried about Alexis in tomorrow’s game. I can just see him getting shawcrossed. I’d rest him tomorrow AND Wednesday.
I wouldn’t even bother taking him to Turkey. After another great shift tomorrow, Alexis should be able to put his feet up and watch the game on Sky. Can’t see BVB losing at home to Anderlecht so why risk our main man?
Please rotate Arsene! We have a decent squad and the usual starting 11 will benefit hugely in March/April from squad rotation.
Some of the teams BVB have lost to in the bundesliga have been real poor, so if their players go into the game at Anderlecht thinking they’ll beat this little team so don’t have to try, then they could easily end up second. If BVB wasn’t having such a crap season with an injury list comparable to ours, I’d agree with you but there is still a chance we’ll top that league. If we can get this one against the orcs ‘in the bag’ early and sub AS early then I’d definitely take him to Turkey, but not sure I’d… Read more »
I think it is safe to say that he is flying into the danger zone, he’s on a highway to the danger zone
I refuse to consider him a proper Arsenal player until he has spent 6 months on the treatment table.
I hav no doubt. they will target Mr Sanchez……….my first born.
Its not that they will boot the shite out of him, but they will physically stop him every time they can. (ok, they will boot the shite out of him)
Mind you , I watched this corresponding fixture last year and we hadnt the gumption to cope with the physicality ………………….I just have a sneaking suspicion, we will cope better with Alexis in the mix.
People, this is not going to be pretty……………………………
How stupid Wenger. Many option to get Alex rest e.g. no need to play start up. By saying Alex in danger zone but still played him, Wenger showed his irresponsible attittude to just defend himself rather doing something real good to the team. Past smart Wenger gone. This Wenger full of stubborn and non sense acts. Did he beware every such rough and irresponsible tactic thinking costed Arsenal so much for so many years.