Injured or a cunning plan?

Morning all.

The simple answer to the question in the headline is, we’ll find out on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta is a crafty manager in my opinion and I think both Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel will be in the squad to face Totts. We may not like it or agree with it, but the game is full of mind games between managers. At least I think it is. 

What looks better, Calafiori and Gabriel going away with their respective countries before withdrawing through “injury” or staying at home because of a supposed injury only to then play at the first opportunity? Apparently Ancelotti has apologised, why I don’t know unless he’s in on the act. lol

I can almost hear Arteta saying to both players, go, but come back early, especially Gabriel who would have jetted off to South America for another meaningless friendly had he not “felt something in his groin”. Instead, he played half a game against Scotland before withdrawing and returning to London. (I think he’s stayed in London)

Of course I could be totally wrong and end up eating humble pie but in Arteta we’re talking about a manager who pushed an injured Partey back onto the pitch. Not because he expected him to continue playing in my opinion, but because he wanted the player to sit on his backside whilst he sorted out the change, keeping the game 11 v 11.

Calafiori is reported to have been playing with a hip injury for a while yet suddenly it’s kept him out of the Italian team. He’s been training though so how does that make sense? It doesn’t in my opinion.

What do you reckon, a master stroke by Arteta, of a week or three on the sidelines for our two defenders? England, France and Norway play later today so hopefully our players will either get a bit of a rest or simply return in good health.

Before those fixtures though, there’s a north London derby to enjoy as the women take on the neighbours. Kickoff is at 2-30 pm and the game is live on Sky Sports.

Catch up in the comments.