Despite Manuel Pellegrini confirming that Marko Arnautovic is fit and available for selection, the Austrian striker has only made the bench today as the manager sticks with the team they almost beat Liverpool on Monday.
The Chilean manager confirmed that the 29-year old striker has recovered from a foot injury and trained all week but instead has rewarded Javier Hernandez for his impressive display earlier this week. It appears Pellegrini is sending out a message so Arnie knows who is in charge!
Ryan Fredericks has also got the nod ahead of Pablo Zabaleta who also finds himself on the bench for the second Premier League game running.
Despite only managing a draw against second-placed Liverpool, it felt like a win and Pellegrini has shown loyalty and faith in the team that showed so much determination on Monday night at the London Stadium.
Starting Lineup: Fabianski, Fredericks, Ogbonna, Diop, Cresswell, Rice, Noble, Snodgrass, Antonio, Anderson and Chicharito
Subs are: Adrian, Masuaku, Zabaleta, Obiang, Diangana, Carroll and Arnautovic
Agree Hugh he is sending out a message, you are probably right but its also possible the message is more one to the rest of the team than to Arnie, i.e. if you leave it all out on the pitch for the team and are committed to the cause you will keep your place 🙂
Well maybe that was the message but if so it would have had more effect if we had then shown we don’t need him- which we do. A point away is ok but it was hardly an outstanding performance. Can we not move on now & leave behind all this stuff about teaching him a lesson, showing players who is in charge etc. Pellegrini now needs to show how good he is not by making Arnie stand on the naughty step but by getting the best out of him, so we have a good run in. Then we may stand more chance of getting in a good replacement in the summer. Or if that is not the aim, getting the best from him again next season.