Olaleye Idowu
Arsenal legend Paul Merson has named three players that manager Mikel Arteta should rest when the Gunners face Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Arsenal head to the Brentford clash following a 3-0 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg tie in mid-week.
The Premier League North London club will return to European action on April 16 for the second leg against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Merson wants Arteta not to start the likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard against Brentford at Emirates Stadium this weekend.
“Brentford are not an easy team to face in the Premier League,” Merson told Sportskeeda.
“I don’t think Mikel Arteta believes his team are through to the semi-finals of the Champions League despite the 3-0 win. So, I am expecting him to rest a few players against Brentford.
“They have no chance of winning the [Premier] league title anymore, so they will focus on the Champions League.
“I would not start Bukayo Saka in this game. He was excellent during midwee,k and Arsenal will need him fresh for the second leg.
“The same applies to Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.”
