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Arsenal Could Have Used Jeff Reine-Adelaide Against Sheffield Wednesday
By Josh Sippie
In the midst of predicting Arsenal’s starting XI for the Football League Championship clash against Sheffield Wednesday, I caught myself thinking that Arsene Wenger could definitely have started Jeff Reine-Adelaide in the No. 10 role. But with the U17 World Cup underway, the young Frenchman is not available. It is not just based on some whim, either. There is logic behind it.
First of all, Arsenal is tired. This is a tired team and no position is feeling that more than in the center of the pitch. With Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Tomas Rosicky already out, Arsenal are left with Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla. Ozil has played 261 minutes in the last week. Cazorla, the full 270. That is a lot of work on some weary legs. Playing the positions that they do, they are getting the full workout each time they take the pitch. The opponents have been gritty Everton, the toughest team in Europe, Bayern Munich, and a Watford side that made Arsenal work.
As such, our regular No. 10’s are in need of a break. Especially with Swansea at the weekend and Bayern Munich again on the following Wednesday. They are needed in those clashes. Not so much in this one.
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Jeff Reine-Adelaide is a promising young man. He ranks in as Pain in the Arsenal’s No. 1 prospect in the Arsenal system. That is pretty impressive. Plus, in the preseason, the young Frenchman looked ready to conquer the world – just like the rest of Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger even went out of his way to point out how unlike a 17 year old Reine-Adelaide played. In a good way. Arsenal is going to be blessed with a masterful midfielder when he matures and is able to nail down a permanent place on this side.
Arsenal is incredibly thinly staffed. The injury and exhaustion situation alone merits Wenger going out of his way to give Cazorla and Ozil a break. They are going to be needed against Swansea and particularly going into the Allianz to face Bayern Munich. Making a Champions League resurgence is much more important than nailing down a spot in the next round of the football league championship.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, the U17 World Cup is in full swing and Reine-Adelaide is not available. So much for that.
Next: Arsenal's Top 10 Prospects