3 – Fitness First
Sure, Arsenal have got the depth to rotate the squad week after week but unless something is done about the pile up of injuries it’s going to be the same old story.
We saw it towards the end of last season, and Wenger is beginning to get the hang of waiting for the right time to introduce players back into the first team picture.
I think he has to focus on patience this season because we’ve seen time after time that rushing players back into action can have serious implications on their long-term recovery.
The likes of Theo Walcott and The Ox have already shown off their workout routines at home, and that’s a message that Wenger really needs to get through to the players this summer.
Work should never stop in pre-season and ensuring these players are at peak physical fitness will be the key to getting a good start in the run-up to Christmas.
It’s easily argued that injuries to Welbeck, Wilshere and Alexis put a massive dent in our campaign and although they are inevitable, we need to be prepared.
I’m not saying that we can stop the injuries, I’m saying there needs to be a new-found approach to getting back into the senior side, like playing in Under-21’s.
We’re all so desperate to see our favourite players back in action that we often forget about their wellbeing, and the treatment of Jack Wilshere was a perfect example of how taking time to recover can help massively.