Ben Dinnery

Sun 23 October 2022 19:29, UK

Arsenal had the right strategy to tackle any potential injury issues after the kick-off for their 1-0 win over Leeds United last week (16 October) was delayed.

That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.

The game was paused after just 69 seconds when the referee became aware that there was a problem with the technology.

A power cut meant that Chris Kavanagh could not hear from the VAR hub at Stockley Park and the goalline decision system was also down

The players were ushered off the pitch after 10 minutes and half an hour later the game restarted with the delay totalling 40 minutes.

VAR was called upon during the game but Bukayo Saka’s goal was enough to separate the sides.

As quoted by club media after the game, Mikel Arteta admitted “100 per cent” it was hard to remain focused during the break.

“It’s not ideal,” Dinnery told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.

“Ultimately, will it have a detrimental effect when you start and then stopped? It’s like hitting that reset button.

“You’re going back to basics, you’re doing work in the changing rooms, you’re going through rigorous warming up stretching exercises when you enter the field of play. It’s ultimately starting that cycle again to get you prepared for the game.

“While not ideal, as long as you implement the basics and the fundamentals, which these players are very well versed in as are the sports scientists and medical departments, then you should be able to mitigate any risks.

“These things happen, it’s not very often but they have the strategies in place to be able to cope with these minor setbacks.”

In other news, Kieran Maguire has lambasted “spectacular arrogance” as Arsenal chief Mark Gonnella quits.