Mikel Arteta insisted his Arsenal squad will have to rotate with such an 'unusual' schedule, paving the way for fringe stars to challenge for a starting spot.
And one of those Gunners stars currently on the outside is Celtic hero Kieran Tierney, who has found regular game at the Emirates increasingly tough in a season like no other. Arsenal's hopes of a historic title are still alive despite losing 3-1 to Manchester City in midweek with the left-back position housed predominantly by Ukranian star Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Despite the North London side playing Aston Villa just 63 hours after the top of the table clash with City, Tierney found himself in the squad but on the bench for the trip to the Midlands. That flies slightly in the face of what coach Arteta promised around potential squad rotation as he slammed an 'unusual' schedule.
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He said pre-Villa: "There are certain rules with the Champions League.
"When you are playing on Wednesday night and then you cannot play [on Saturday lunchtime]. So I think that should apply to any competition.
"Following the same principle, I think you are talking physiologically, that is very difficult to turn around on that period to get the best outcome and reduce the injury risk for players. They put the schedule the way they did. It's a bit unusual, but it's what it is.
"It's not about being worried or not worried. We have to play. I want the players to be in the best possible mindset and physically ready to get that challenge going."
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