Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal: 4 talking points from magnificent comeback win over Leicester

By Ross Kennerley

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Arsenal at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on February 28, 2021. (Photo by Rui Vieira / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by RUI VIEIRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Arsenal at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on February 28, 2021. (Photo by Rui Vieira / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by RUI VIEIRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Mikel Arteta
Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) speaks with Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (L) as he comes on as a late substitute during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Arsenal at King Power Stadium in Leicester. (Photo by RUI VIEIRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Rotation Pays Off in Sweetest Possible Way

The thought of a Bukayo Saka-less Arsenal side is a terrifying prospect. The star boy this season and cruising his way to the Player of the Season gong, his importance to the side is a drum that gets beat each and every week.

With such a short turnover from the Europa League success in Greece, how severe certain muscle injuries may have been were left to be discovered just before kick-off, with Arteta confirming the risk of injury was too serious for key stars.

It was hoped that the changes could have been left for the upcoming Burnley fixture, which is preceded by a welcome week long break, but no risks were taken. Thus, without Thomas Partey, Saka and Aubameyang, and with Mohamed Elneny and Willian starting, hopes of victory were mostly dashed.

How remarkable, then, that the 90 minutes that followed were up with the best seen under the Spaniard’s tutelage, and arguably the finest all season. Saka never touched the turf, Aubameyang got a short run-out at the end and Partey came on late for some vital minutes.

While Kieran Tierney played the full match, he looked largely untroubled with fatigue, and even Hector Bellerin was given chance to recover after regular outings.

Rotation is not an acceptance of defeat, it’s utterly paramount. Arteta made all the calls, and he got them spot on.

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