It’s simply now really.

Mikel Arteta needs to play his strongest team between now and the end of the season. Starting Thursday with Liverpool in the League Cup.

Out of the FA Cup in the 3rd round and not in Europe, at max leaves Arsenal with 21 games to play between now and the end of the season.

That is 21 games in 19 weeks.

There really is no need to rest and rotate. The only time someone shouldn’t be playing is if they are injured, suspended or die to lack of form.

That means no more Charlie Patino. No more Eddie Nketiah. No more Nuno Tavares. No more Bernd Leno.

Liverpool, Tottenham, Liverpool and Burnley in the next 2 weeks.

If that was Champions League then Premier League we would be putting out our best XI. With just the League Cup as a realistic trophy we should be doing the same.

After the Burnley fixture we now have a weekend off. Nearly 2 weeks without football.

That will give us the chance to rehabilitate and rest those who will be playing over the next 2 weeks.

A potential League Cup final aside, we then only have Premier League fixtures. None of which are mid week.

Arteta now needs to pick the players back up and ensure we finish top 4. Do that and Sunday will quickly be forgotten about.

Strongest XI every game now.

Keenos