“When Players Are Fit, They Have to Play” – Arsenal Remain Focused Ahead of Palace Clash
Mikel Arteta has confirmed he will not rest key Arsenal players for Wednesday night’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace, despite their Champions League semi-final tie with Paris Saint-Germain looming just six days later. The match, a rescheduled fixture due to Palace’s FA Cup semi-final participation, offers Liverpool the chance to seal the title should Arsenal lose.
Yet Arteta insists his team are not just showing up to delay Liverpool’s celebrations. “We cannot think in those terms,” he said. “When players are fit and they are available and they want to play, they have to play. They are at their best when they have consistency.”
Champions League Looms, But Premier League Focus Remains
Arsenal are all but guaranteed a second-place finish, their third in as many seasons, and are out of the domestic title race. Nonetheless, Arteta is determined to keep the momentum going. “That little break will be good for us,” he acknowledged, referring to the five-day gap before the PSG tie. “We’re very short in numbers at the moment, but Europe gives us great motivation.”
The Champions League has provided a highlight to an otherwise injury-ridden season. Arsenal’s memorable win over Real Madrid featured goals from a returning Bukayo Saka and resurgent Gabriel Martinelli. Speaking about Martinelli, Arteta said: “He wants to play every minute of every competition. That’s the kind of character and leader we want in the team.”
Saka’s Return: Calm, Composed, Crucial
Despite a rough challenge from Ipswich’s Leif Davis over the weekend, Saka is expected to be available against Palace. “The worst thing you can do is start reacting to that,” said Arteta. “He is really calm, very rational, very intelligent in the way he manages his emotions.”
With his star winger fit and firing, Arteta will monitor his squad’s emotional and tactical needs heading into the semi-final. “If they need more tension, less tension, be more emotional, more tactical, we will manage it,” he added, promising a customized approach to prep for the PSG clash.
Title Race: Liverpool Could Seal the Deal
If Arsenal falter at the Emirates against Crystal Palace, Liverpool will be crowned Premier League champions. While the Gunners may have no tangible reward to play for on Wednesday, Arteta’s insistence on full-strength participation shows the team’s commitment to ending the season with pride and intensity intact.
Category: Premier League, Arsenal FC, Champions League
Tags: Arteta, Arsenal, PSG, Champions League, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Premier League title race
