As suspected, no Saliba

[Peter]

We will do very well to get anything out of the game today. That back four looks really vulnerable

Arteta needs to take a serious look at how we use and prepare players. The injury situation is just horrendous and it is going to ruin our season if it doesn't improve.

[pjlincs]

We will do very well to get anything out of the game today. That back four looks really vulnerable

Vulnerable why? Ben White unlikely to be able to sustain or replicate his midweek performance but is still a quality right back despite being our second choice in that position. Timber plays RCH for the Netherlands. And we have a 16 year old centre half on the bench

[Peter]

Vulnerable why? Ben White unlikely to be able to sustain or replicate his midweek performance but is still a quality right back despite being our second choice in that position. Timber plays RCH for the Netherlands. And we have a 16 year old centre half on the bench

Fourth centre back partnership in four games.

It isnt that the players are bad. It's the instability.

Will make us far weaker at set pieces, particularly defending them.

This is arguably the toughest fixture in the league right now. I don't think we are going to enjoy today...

[Peter]

Vulnerable why? Ben White unlikely to be able to sustain or replicate his midweek performance but is still a quality right back despite being our second choice in that position. Timber plays RCH for the Netherlands. And we have a 16 year old centre half on the bench

And, I hate to say it, but don't be surprised if we lose another defender during the game. Timber and Calafiori have been overplayed, White is rusty. It really wouldn't be a surprise.....

[redgunamo]

Fourth centre back partnership in four games.

It isnt that the players are bad. It's the instability.

Will make us far weaker at set pieces, particularly defending them.

This is arguably the toughest fixture in the league right now. I don't think we are going to enjoy today...

I enjoyed the point you made the other day, about injuries solving our rotation issues.

Not sure we can have it both ways so I'm going to roll with that.

[Peter]

I enjoyed the point you made the other day, about injuries solving our rotation issues.

Not sure we can have it both ways so I'm going to roll with that.

Right, but we were hoping that the rotation would solve our injury issues. That's the better way of doing it. So Saliba sits out when you choose, not when your hand is forced.

One of our strengths is the precision of Arteta's coaching. But it does mean that rotation is more disruptive for us than for other teams.

It's Catch 22 really. Well, catch 22, sub paragraph A

[pjlincs]

Right, but we were hoping that the rotation would solve our injury issues. That's the better way of doing it. So Saliba sits out when you choose, not when your hand is forced.

One of our strengths is the precision of Arteta's coaching. But it does mean that rotation is more disruptive for us than for other teams.

It's Catch 22 really. Well, catch 22, sub paragraph A

Calafiori did well to get his booking to miss Wolves next weekend when he would likely have been rotated out for MLS anyway.