Arsenal got the win in Prague, but the main talking point afterwards was Ezri Konsa. The defender started alongside Gabriel, then came off just after the hour after appearing uncomfortable during the game. Mikel Arteta made it clear this was not tactical.
“Obviously he’s playing a lot,” Arteta said. “He’s played so many games in the last few weeks. He had some issues and we decided to take him off.”
Imago
Ezri Konsa fitness issue raises fresh selection questions
Konsa had already looked troubled in the first half when he was seen feeling his knee. He carried on after the break, picked up a booking early in the second half, then was replaced on 60 minutes. Arteta’s explanation was straightforward, Arsenal saw a problem and acted before it became something more serious.
The timing matters. William Saliba is back in the matchday squad for the first time this season, and that sharpens the competition at centre-back. Konsa’s place was already under scrutiny, and any physical concern only increases the pressure ahead of the next run of fixtures.
Declan Rice workload remains a talking point
Arteta rotated heavily, making six changes to his starting side. Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes dropped out, while Myles Lewis-Skelly and Guimaraes stayed on the bench throughout. Declan Rice, however, played the full 90 minutes.
That stood out because Rice looked leggy in the second half, especially after a late driving run through midfield. Arteta was asked why he did not take him off and offer him a breather.
“The game required [it] and he did it. “He was as well rested against Fleetwood. He had a very good week to recover. It’s the second [match in a row] that he’s played, not the fifth one. We expect our players to be able to do that and I think he had some very good moments throughout the game.”
Arsenal squad depth will be tested again
This is what squad management looks like in a busy period. Arsenal won, Arteta rotated, and…
..
