Lineker, who made 80 appearances for England, admitted that while managers often pull the strings, the final decision often rests with the players themselves. However, he acknowledged the immense pressure from club coaches for players to stay at home during non-competition periods. “All the coaches have done it, but in general it’s up to the players,” Lineker added. “The coach was always putting pressure on you to pull out of friendlies in particular. This happened to me twice and each time I said out of the question. »
Although City still have a game in hand, Arsenal’s current nine-point lead at the top of the table means the stakes have never been higher. The north London club recently suffered a defeat in the Carabao Cup final against Pep Guardiola’s men, a result which served as a stark reminder of how slim the margins are at the top of football. Maintaining a squad in top shape for the end of the season is clearly Arteta’s top priority.
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