Arsenal legend Tony Adams has expressed his disappointment with manager Mikel Arteta’s lack of rotation this season and believes that young midfielder Emile Smith Rowe should have been given more playing time. Adams believes that Arteta relied heavily on Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka throughout the campaign, resulting in them appearing fatigued towards the end of the season as Arsenal fell short in the title race.
Speaking on Sky Sports following Arsenal’s recent loss to Nottingham Forest, Adams criticized the team’s performances in recent weeks and suggested that Smith Rowe should have been more involved. He felt that Arteta could have given Martinelli some rest and allowed Smith Rowe to play on the left-hand side, as the young midfielder has shown promise and could have made a significant contribution.
“We’ve depended on Martinelli and Saka for most of the season. To give them a rest now and again. They could have given Emile a bit more air time for me. He could have subbed Martinelli and let him play off the left-hand side,” Adams said speaking to Jamie Carragher and Sky.
“Just because we’re always going to need them. We need them to get over the line. I’ve been waiting for the errors to come and they weren’t coming. Everything was stable. We had it going on. But as soon as the resources, a couple of injuries, people lost their form, it just didn’t work. I think it’s been lost three months ago.”
Adams emphasized the need for depth and quality in Arsenal’s squad, particularly highlighting the importance of utilizing the available resources. He believes that the team faltered when faced with injuries and a loss of form because they did not have sufficient alternatives. Adams expressed his concerns about Arsenal’s lack of rotation, stating that he anticipated errors to occur due to fatigue.
Looking ahead to the summer, Adams stressed the significance of Arsenal making the right additions to their squad. He believes that while the team has performed admirably this season, they need to improve in terms of both quality and depth. Adams echoed his earlier sentiment, suggesting that Arteta should prioritize rotation and utilize the full potential of his squad to avoid burnout and maintain stability.
As Arsenal prepares for an important summer transfer window, Adams’ remarks highlight the need for strategic squad planning and effective player management. The club will be aiming to strengthen their team while ensuring that there is sufficient rotation and competition for places to maintain consistency and improve their chances of success in the upcoming season.
