Tam There were some who suggested we weren't playing to win because we rested 2 players which I thought was ridiculous.

Our players and manager looked serious about the game and was very disappointed we lost.

      Clrnc I think that's true and right, but I also don't think you can say that we attacked this tie with the same intensity and ferocity - almost desperation - that we've approached the PL with this season.

          Coombs I think we were desperate to win, once they scored we brought on even players we wanted to balancely rest for the league

            Praying for Saliba now and an uneventful interlul. Really do not want to go to Anfield with Holding or Kiwior at CB.

            Arteta didn’t sound overly concerned about Saliba. Can imagine back pain will keep him out for long if he’s able to walk around with ease.

            Takehiro is out for the season. Hopefully better news for Saliba to come.

              goon that's fair. Hopefully you got from my post, I was just saying it is an option, not necessarily that we should do it. Hopefully Rob Holding continues to play like he did yesterday - we'll be golden. Golden Rob Holding. 😁

                I'd say we haven't been unlucky this season. We've had Jesus and ESR out for a long time, but if we look at it as 11 starting XI players * 38 matches = 418 "spots" to fill - then I'd wager we've filled more of those with players we consider to be in our strongest XI than anyone else in the league.

                In terms of "total injury games" we're ranked about seventh lowest I think. City are second lowest with about 40% less than us. Unsure if that's first XI only.

                The bar chart is going round in the United thread. We've been far from cursed, but we've had plenty of injuries.

                Plenty of injuries to the same players.

                Tomi, Tierney, ESR, Jesus, etc.

                But we've been lucky that 8 of our starters haven't been hurt at all.

                  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.

                                                It's been about 14 days since he walked off. Even if they assess and stress test him next Thursday and it looks like he's ok, he should be able to squeeze in a few conditioning/training sessions and be ready for Sunday 9th. At least thats what I am hoping. He's absolutely not critical for this Saturday.

                                                This is the guy who always gets the first 11 right. Got a lot of injuries news right as well. We have to hold on very tight for the rest of the season, cuz we ain't making it without him

                                                Play him every other game, just as long as he’s available for Liverpool and City.

                                                I trust Holding for most games but don’t want him going in for those head to head battles against Pool and City. Not with a high line.

                                                  goon at the same time, do you want him going into games worried about overextending himself and playing with fear? That doesn't even take into account the fact we might be risking making the situation worse for a player right at the start of his career.

                                                    This is going to be a tricky one to deal with... Back injuries are really hard to manage.

                                                    Need to find a solution if he is out for the season.. Wondering if Zinchenko can play right and Ben move to the middle, with KT at LB.

                                                      I think I'd rather play Tierney at CB if it comes to that (we all know it'll be Holding in). We basically play 3 at the back in possession so that'd be Tierney-Gabriel-White with the usual Zinchenko/Partey pairing ahead of them.

                                                      Tierney isn’t great progressing the ball though, probably the worst out of him, Holding and Kiwior.

                                                      Keep it simple imo, trust who you have with minimal disruption to the rest of the team.

                                                      I'd back Holding for about 5 of the 10 games.

                                                      The rest I'd be worried about him costing us.

                                                      But not much we can do, Arteta will stick with him so just have to hope he plays himself into good form and doesn't cost us like last season.