So im watching a depleted Arsenal team try to establish a foothold on the game against Liverpool, and I feel this is the right occasion to voice an argument I have believed in for some time. It has been noted that several teams have players who are struggling for full match fitness at the start of this season. The first weekend of the Premier League triggered a few injuries to big name players which would suggest that the pre season techniques of various clubs isnt working. Take Vidic and Ferdinand, for instance. Petr Cech injured himself last week.The injury list stretches up and down the country, with the likes of Shay Given, Chris Samba, Mikel Arteta, Hugo Rodagella all struggling for match fitness in the early throes of the new season.
All these are key first team players for their respective teams, all these players have undertaken pre season training of some kind, yet none are certain to be in the first eleven this weekend.
Why?
I believe that the cause could be the emphasis on promotional pre season 'tours' undertaken by various clubs, mostly to far off places like the US and Asia. Personally, If I was a footballer, I wouldn't appreciate have to take long haul flights to the other side of the world, just to play three games, followed by a long haul flight home. Is this the best method of getting players ready for a new season?
Exactly what is more important these days, an increase in shirt sales in Thailand, or the match fitness of your star player? Look on the injury lists of the 'big 4' clubs in English football, and you have your answer.
On the plus side, there is one group of players who should revel in the injury list situation. Ignasi Miguel, the hitherto unheard of Spanish Under 19 defender, has just come on to make his Premier League debut for Arsenal, replacing yet another casualty, Koscielny, who has suffered a back spasm.
A chance for the young lad to shine, one would feel.
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