Arsenal and Liverpool are neck and neck as they head into the final few weeks of this pulsating Premier League title race.
The title is still in the hands of Manchester City, but Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp watched their team keep the pressure on this weekend.
Arsenal secured a deserved 2-0 win at Wolves, whilst Liverpool made the trip to London and beat Marco Silva’s Fulham 3-1.
When it has come to injuries this season, it’s pretty clear that those from Merseyside have suffered the most from the title-chasing trio.
Arsenal were unfortunate that their summer signing Jurrien Timber suffered a season-ending injury in August, but across the board, their key players have remained fit.
One of the main topics of discussion during these past few weeks has been squad rotation, especially given that the players have had to deal with European and Premier League commitments.
It’s pretty clear that the man in Liverpool’s dugout is far braver in ensuring his squad players are handed regular starts and minutes.
The prime example is that 21-year-old Jarell Quansah started at Fulham, instead of the experienced duo Ibrahima Konate or Joe Gomez, who were on the bench.
Shaun Wright-Phillips feels that’s the complete opposite of Mikel Arteta because he thinks he doesn’t trust some of his fringe players.
The former title-winner highlighted Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson as players the Arsenal boss ‘doesn’t believe’ in, as he told Premier League Productions (22/04/24 at 2:15 pm).
The duo are mainly unused substitutes, even though one of them recently signed a new contract and the other is a firm fan favourite.
Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson at Arsenal
“The difference between Klopp and Arteta is Klopp has trusted in his younger players like your Quansah’s and Elliott’s,” said Wright-Phillips.
“When Arsenal need to rotate it’s like he just doesn’t believe in Smith Rowe or Reiss Nelson to the point when they do get the chance. What are they thinking about? I can’t make a mistake or I am never going to a minute (again).”
Fringe players need to leave Arsenal
If the likely scenario happens and Arsenal don’t win the Premier League title, then the clearout will begin in the summer.
Many players at the Emirates need to move on for the sake of the club and/or to progress their own careers.
Smith Rowe and Nelson are just two of them, but you could probably add Aaron Ramsdale and Thomas Partey to that list too.
Sources have told HITC that Chelsea want to sign Ramsdale in the summer, so this is one worth watching out for.