‘Carrying knocks’: Darren Bent says £6m Arsenal player looked like he was playing injured on Saturday

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Arsenal drew against Chelsea on Saturday, but they made seriously hard work of the game before getting two late goals.

Indeed, the Gunners, if we’re being honest, were dominated against Chelsea. They barely managed to create a chance in the first-half, and while they came to life in the final 15 minutes, it wasn’t a game to remember for Arsenal.

They couldn’t get their star players into the game, with both Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka being invisible for most of the match.

Speaking on The Kelly and Wrighty Show, Darren Bent has been discussing these two players, and he reckons that neither player actually looked fully fit heading into this game, pondering whether they were still carrying knocks after their recent injury issues.

Saka and Martinelli didn’t look fit

Bent spoke about Arsenal’s two stars, including the £8m man.

“There have been times when Mikel Arteta has been a little bit arrogant in the way he’s picked his teams. I don’t think Martinelli looked particularly fit, I don’t think Saka looked fit. I don’t know if they’re carrying knocks, but I don’t think they had the same pop they usually have when they get the ball,” Bent said.

Rest this weekend

Bent is spot on, Saka and Martinelli didn’t look right against Chelsea, and that may be down to their recent injury problems.

These two are both in need of a rest, and we can’t help but think that this weekend could be a great chance to rotate both players.

With all due respect, playing Sheffield United at home may be the easiest game that Arsenal could ask for right now, and the likes of Leandro Trossard, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe should be able to deal with the Blades, while Saka and Martinelli live to fight another day.

Arteta wouldn’t be making the worst decision if he decided to give his two star players a rest.