Rotation policy needs breather

Officially, Arsenal’s training ground is in Shenley, although as far as I’m concerned it’s located in London Colney, as Shenley has always been synonymous with the dark shadow of the psychiatric institute that once dominated this Hertforshire suburb.

Then again, I could be forgiven for thinking the men in white coats had come for Arsène Wenger on Saturday, when he announced a starting line-up against Pompey that included Aliadière as Van Persie’s strike partner. I’m all for being patient when it comes to bringing on our young prodigies, but it’s hard to believe that this product of the Clairfontaine Academy has been at the club for seven years and has become the second longest serving player in the squad (behind Freddie Ljungberg), without ever having established himself in the first XI.

In his programme notes on Saturday, Wenger stated he had “absolutely no choice” but to rotate the squad.