‘He has to play him’: Martin Keown thinks Mikel Arteta should have rested Granit Xhaka against PSV

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Former Arsenal defender, Martin Keown, has criticised Mikel Arteta for continually playing Granit Xhaka.

The Swiss midfielder has been one of the standout players for the Gunners this season. Playing a more advanced role, Xhaka is playing the best football of his Arsenal career since moving to the club for £35m in 2016.

However, while Xhaka has been playing well, he couldn’t stop the Gunners going down to PSV last night. And speaking on TalkSPORT, Martin Keown has questioned Arteta’s decisions on Xhaka.

“There’s a group of players that are not available for selection at Arsenal for Arteta. It makes it difficult. He’s been sort of resting five or six each game. I’d like to have seen Xhaka have had a rest last night. I thought he played well in the game but he has to play him. There’s certain players that play every game,” Keown said on TalkSPORT.

“I think (last night) one or two maybe not giving everything because they’re trying to manage their energy levels. And when you don’t have your best XI out, Arsenal just fall away. So will that be the case as the season goes on.”

TBR’s View: Xhaka key for Arsenal but rest is a factor

It’s hard really for Mikel Arteta. The Europa League isn’t his priority as we know. But then on the reverse, it’s also a huge chance to win a big trophy.

You can see why the Arsenal boss picks Xhaka. He is one of his leaders. He brings quality to the pitch whoever he is it with and this season, he’s been operating at a new level.

However, all players need to get their rest in. Xhaka is no different, and there might come a time when Arteta is essentially forced to leave the midfielder out.

Sooner or later, Xhaka will need that time to recover and ensure he doesn’t get injured. But with the game against Glimt now more important than it might have been, Xhaka might have to wait for that rest.