Gabby Agbonlahor believes Mikel Arteta does not trust one Arsenal star following their 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. A hard-earned draw away from home puts Arsenal in a good position ahead of next week's second leg as they bid to reach their first Champions League final since 2006.
And there is still plenty to contend for domestically for the Gunners, too, with Arteta's side looking to pip Manchester City to the post in a nervy Premier League title race. The remaining weeks of the season will push Arsenal's squad to its limits, and Agbonlahor noted that several players are beginning to show signs of tiredness down the closing stretch.
'What stood out for me last night, and it stood out to me against Newcastle: players looking tired,' he told talkSPORT. 'They're looking really tired. And I hope this doesn't affect Arsenal. They've got a chance of winning two trophies. Could the tiredness in the squad affect them? They've played 57 games this season, Arsenal. Fulham, who they play on the weekend, have only played 41.'
'When you watch Declan Rice, and especially on Saturday, he looks shattered when you watch him.' Rice and midfield partner Martin Zubimendi have been near-constant figures in the heart of midfield, with both already playing over 50 matches in all competitions this season.
And with that in mind, Agbonlahor is stunned that Christian Norgaard, signed from Brentford last summer for just £15million, has not seen more game time this campaign. The Dane has been an unused substitute in five of Arsenal's last six games, and has played just 56 minutes of league football this season, leaving Agbonlahor to suggest that the 32-year-old does not have the trust of his manager.
'I'm surprised Norgaard hasn't played a lot more this season because he was Brentford's captain,' he added. 'I thought he was fantastic at Brentford. He doesn't trust him at all. He's played hardly any games this season.'
