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Erik ten Hag takes aim at Arsenal fitness record.
In an apparent dig at Arsenal, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag said that there has only been one occasion this season where he has had a completely available team to pick from.
Due to impact injuries put on by tackles, Ten Hag will be without Christian Eriksen and Alejandro Garnacho for most of the rest of the season. As Casemiro is ready to start a four-game domestic suspension, illness has been a struggle all winter long.
“When you see all season, we have had some setbacks, every time we’ve dealt with it. It’s about the players who are available and every time there’s a team on the pitch who deals with it,” he said.
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“In just one game we had the squad available totally and I was able to pick my team, from a tactical approach, perfectly – that was against Manchester City at home this season. Every other time it’s been one player suspended, injured, or unavailable through illness.”
The Dutchman then turned his attention to Arsenal, who are currently leading the Premier League and are still on track to win their first title in 19 years.
“We have to deal with it well but Arsenal, all the time their squad is totally available,” he jibed.
It’s not fully accurate to say that. Even though the Gunners have done rather well this season in terms of player availability and fitness, they have just recently welcomed £45 million summer signing Gabriel Jesus back after a significant layoff, while Emile Smith Rowe missed some time due to groin surgery.