Interview

Revealed: How Emery decides when and who to rotate

At this stage of the season, there is no let-up for teams competing for success on a number of fronts.

We head into Sunday's game against Crystal Palace right off the back of a trip to Italy to take on Napoli.

So how does Unai Emery decide when and who to rotate? And what methods does he use to make these assessments?

"We finish the match first, then rest and recover the players who have played 90 minutes," Emery told Arsenal Player. "Those who didn’t play do some work physically and tactically and after we decide who can be 100 per cent for the next match and also [who is best] in the system, or [if it is a] tactical decision to be in the first 11.

"First [I ask the players] how they are with injuries, second is how they are with physical circumstances, and third is the opposition and what they are demanding from us for the match. Also, how we can improve our ideas, style and capacity to beat them.

"We work with a lot of data about our players and the opposition players. After our tactical decisions for the next match we take the decisions for the line-up for the next match.

"It’s very important that the players are ready to play. The first XI is very important, but also the players on the bench who can make a big impact. We need a big impact when we’re losing or drawing.

"When we need to close a good result in the last minute, sometimes it can be defensive or offensive, but I am very happy and I remember a lot with the players when we decide the first XI which players can make an impact when they start on the bench. That’s very important."

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