Aguero issued the note of caution after Arsenal were annihilated 3–0 by Brighton in a Premier League game on Saturday afternoon.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Manchester City legend, Sergio Aguero, has warned Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, over the Gunners’ squad rotation strategy in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League this season, saying it could be counterproductive.
He made this known on Saturday while analysing the Gunners’ 3–0 loss to Brighton in their fifth Premier League encounter of the season.
Pascal Gross gave the hosts a 31st-minute lead with a shot from the edge of the box that went in off the post.
Just seconds after Bukayo Saka missed an opportunity to bring Arsenal level, Brighton doubled their advantage after Charalampos Kostoulas was given too much space on the edge of the box to turn and fire past David Raya.
Chema Andres then made it an emphatic victory after heading in the third goal 12 minutes into the second half from a Gross corner.
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While analysing the game, Aguero said the squad rotation embarked upon by Arteta could affect Arsenal players mentally if not handled properly.
He further noted that Spanish tactician, Pep Guardiola, did a similar thing when he was Manchester City’s gaffer.
“There is nothing wrong with what Arsenal are proposing [rotating in Premier League to prioritise the Champions League],” Aguero said, as quoted by Football London.
He added, “Pep also tends to make those changes and play some players in the Premier League and others in the Champions League.
“He did it with Kompany, Otamendi, Bernardo Silva, Gundogan, Mahrez, Sterling and Sane at one point.
“Mikel has an idea that is very similar to Pep’s style. The problem is that sometimes players are in good form and making those changes can affect them mentally. But if it is managed properly, it’s a perfectly reasonable approach.”
