With seven members of Arsenal FC’s first team squad injured, Arsene Wenger has admitted that he is being a bit extra careful with star man Mesut zil.
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Arsenal FC’s main injury worry has been in the middle of the park, with the likes of Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin, Tomas Rosicky (knee), Jack Wilshere (ankle), and Mikel Arteta (knock), all spending their time in the infirmary. Also, their Chilean star Alexis Sanchez has been missing from action for a long time due to a hamstring injury.
zil has been pulling the team through the tough matches with his brilliant assists, and this has helped Arsenal FC finish 2015 at the top of the Premeir League table — albeit just by virtue of goal difference. However, zil has played a number of games, which could be putting a lot of strain on the German’s body.
This is why, manager Arsene Wenger believes that being a bit easy on the in-form playmaker during training is the way to go, for the Gunners.
a At the moment, he [ zil] doesna t practice a lot. We rest him a lot between the games. I gave him one-week holiday during the international break,” Wenger was quoted saying in the Daily Mirror. a He is a guy who, once the basic fitness is there between the games, he wants to play.
a There are types of players, sometimes the most technical players, it looks like it demands less energy for them to play a it is just natural for them,” he continued.
zil’s presence affects other players, says Wenger
The German international has undoubtedly been one of the best players this season, with 16 assists to his name. He has had a huge impact on the Gunners’ performance after an initial year of adapting to the English style of football. Wenger believes, that zil has also had a great impact on the psyche of the players, during the matches this season.
a You look as well at the impact he can have on other players,” Wenger said. “”The Premier League is very tight and if you go into the decisive game and if you rest players, the other players think subconsciously, they dona t tell you, but they think: a Why?a Even the player himself.a