3 things Mikel Arteta can do during hiatus
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Copa/Getty Images)
After Thursday morning’s announcement, Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal squad will now have until the end of April to prepare for the return of football. Here are three things he can do during this period.
On Thursday morning, a joint statement by the FA, Premier League and EFL confirmed that elite football in England would be suspended until the end of April. Obviously, it is a major blow for those wanting to watch their teams, and it now provides ample time for the clubs to work behind the scenes and prepare for the presumed resumption of the season in due course.
So, with time to spare, here are three things that Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and his staff can be doing.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 09: Referee Mike Dean helps Kieran Tierney of Arsenal leave the pitch following an injury during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal FC at London Stadium on December 09, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
3. Rest and get fit
It goes without saying that the postponement of competitive action provides Arsenal with the chance to rest players and get them fit for when action returns, which will likely be in the summer after the European Championships were pushed back to 2021.
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There are certain individuals who this is most useful for. Kieran Tierney had just returned to full training following his dislocated shoulder. He now does not have to rush back into the starting XI and should be fully fit when football returns. Similarly, Lucas Torreira, who was set to miss the remainder of the season, will now likely be fit before the end of the year.
And then there are those like Hector Bellerin, Bukayo Saka, Rob Holding, Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi, who have either dealt with niggling issues throughout the recent period or have played a lot of minutes and could do with an extended break. They will all now get to rest, recuperate, and return in full fitness.
