MistaT a lot of that is coaching and squad design. You see how they all play, all do the warm downs together every game, and would have other fitness measures behind the scenes.

The other underrated quality of a player is pure availability. There were times we would depend on a midfield of Ramsey, Wilshere and other older or injured players like Cazorla or Arteta. That’s just poor squad design. It’s planning hot failure - because unless you have Manchester City money, you will end up playing squads weakened in multiple places. If you are able to start 8 really strong players every match, that’s a great Ingredient

These are phenomenal athletes we have. Mattinelli played 120 minutes Thursday and was a live wire Sunday. Xhaka, Gabriel, Odegaard, always play like it’s their last game

    5 days later

    Time to move him on and replace him. Can't imagine how frustrating it must be to work so hard to get him back to fitness, only for him to break down again. Moving like Diaby.

    Partey supposedly didn't play for Ghana today because he is carrying an injury. Am guessing that is why we sent one of our physios with him.

    Sounds more like they didn't want to risk him and trying to manage the situation as he was on the bench.

      JazzG "The former Atletico Madrid star felt something in his right leg during a training session with his country on Sunday. Sources close to the player insist it is not a hamstring issue and believe he should be fine for Saturday's game at Emirates Stadium."

      "Houghton is understood to have taken the decision to leave Partey out on his own. There was no outside pressure from Arsenal, despite the presence of Murphy."

      I hate the international break so fucking much. Hope he is fine, at least for Liverpool if not for Leeds.

          HomeSteak understand that’s is £300k/week after all the bonuses. Given that he’s one of the 4 or 5 best players in the league already, seems fine to me.

            HomeSteak Shit hadn't seen those full quotes. Hopefully just pulled a sly one to get out of playing.

              Why is he referred to as a "former Atletico Madrid star"?

              Just journalists being journalists. People can’t help flower things up unnecessarily. Good for others to start dissociating us from sexual predators early before he’s charged.

              Tierney hobbled off the Scotland game just there. Doesn’t look serious. Probably just a wee knock and a bit of time wasting.

                Tam People can’t help flower things up unnecessarily

                From memory the Fowlers refer to it (disapprovingly) as "elegant variation" in their style manual. Absolutely rife in all forms of football writing, especially in player descriptions.

                  Has there been any news about Saliba?

                  I think we might get away with playing Holding at home against Leeds but really hope we have Saliba back for the game at Anfield.

                    No Saliba in training today.

                    Partey taking part, along with Tierney.

                    Looks like Saliba injury is worse than initially feared

                      I am Arsenal Till I Die I guess one positive with Holding potentially being in the team for Anfield is that we won't just be throwing him in cold - and he actually played very well against Palace. Obviously, I realise Anfield will be an entirely different kind of test.

                          RocktheCasbah Has holding ever fared well at Anfield? Just curious. He's good in a deep block but that's about it. And going there just to defend never ends well anyway.

                          Thinking if we should blood Kiwior against Leeds... although he had 2 poor games in the international break

                              We as a team in general don't usually fare well at Anfield. We're a different team now, as are they.

                              Clrnc Thinking if we should blood Kiwior against Leeds... although he had 2 poor games in the international break

                              Their form has argued in Holding's favour, not against.