Former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero warned Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta that the club’s heavy use of squad rotation this season could have a negative impact on players’ mental well‑being, speaking ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures.
Aguero told Football London that rotating the lineup to prioritise the UEFA Champions League is “nothing wrong” and noted that “Pep also tends to make those changes,” referring to the practice employed by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. He said Arsenal’s approach mirrors Guardiola’s tactical philosophy, with certain players featuring in Premier League matches while others are rested for Champions League games.
“The problem is that sometimes players are in good form, and making those changes can affect them mentally. But if it’s managed properly, it’s a perfectly reasonable approach,” Aguero said.
Arteta’s rotation policy comes as Arsenal have enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, winning the Community Shield 3‑0 against Manchester City, securing victories in their first four Premier League matches, and beginning their Champions League run with a 1‑0 win over Napoli. The Gunners also progressed to the fourth round of the EFL Cup after a 4‑2 triumph over Ipswich Town.
However, the club suffered its first defeat of the season, a 3‑0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion at the American Express Stadium on Saturday, 19 September, highlighting the challenges of balancing squad depth with player confidence.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
