Arsenal are set to face Luton Town at the Emirates just days after drawing against Manchester City, and Mikel Arteta could make several changes.
The Gunners face a busy schedule, and a tough trip to Brighton on Saturday will be followed by a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich next week.
With this in mind, the game against Luton is perhaps the best opportunity for some bench players to gain some match sharpness, and some key Arsenal stars to rest ahead of a tough few weeks.
It has now been mooted that midfielder Jorginho should be one player Arteta drops to the bench, after a difficult display at the Etihad Stadium.
Jorginho should be rested for Arsenal vs Luton Town
Speaking on the Handbrake Off Podcast, former Gunner Adrian Clarke claimed that Jorginho should be given a rest, and highlighted how he looked short of full fitness against Man City.
“I would bring in Partey for Jorginho, Jorginho did look tired,” he stated.
“I think he had the second fewest number of touches. I know that he came off relatively early but he only had I think twenty two touches in in that game.”
Why did Jorginho struggle against Manchester City?
The veteran midfielder has excelled on the ball this season, but Sunday’s draw with Man City saw him deliver something of an anonymous display.
Man City were dominant in possession, with Arsenal delivering an excellent performance off the ball, but it was clear that the hosts identified Jorginho as a player they needed to inhibit.
They limited him to just 10 completed passes in 67 minutes, and he won just one of his four attempted duels.
Jorginho’s play off the ball is where his limitations lie, and Man City ensured that he could not receive the ball enough to make an impact going forward, whilst he remained a passenger when closing the gaps near the back.
Should Jorginho drop to the bench, Arteta either has the option of bringing Thomas Partey in as a direct replacement at the base of midfield, or moving Declan Rice further back, with a more attacking option in Fabio Vieira or Emile Smith Rowe coming in for a start.
The Italian will be important in upcoming games, but may not be necessary in a home game against relegation strugglers in Luton, and he may need a vital rest ahead of the Bayern Munich match in particular.