Former England defender Wayne Bridge has weighed in on Arsenal's recent squad decisions, suggesting the club has inadvertently cranked up the pressure in their Premier League title chase. His comments come after several key Gunners withdrew from international duty during the recent break.

While having a squad full of internationals is a mark of a top team, the relentless schedule poses a constant risk. With the season reaching its nail-biting climax, Arsenal's choice to prioritize club fitness over country is a high-stakes gamble. Bridge argues this move has heightened expectations, making any potential slip-up even more costly in the eyes of fans and pundits.

"I feel like they’ve put more pressure on themselves now," Bridge stated. "The league is theirs to lose, and if they throw it away after managing players like this, it looks even worse." He also pointed to a potential banana skin in their next fixture, noting, "Their next game is against Bournemouth, right? They’ve upset Arsenal a few times."

For Arsenal, navigating this final stretch is about more than just tactics; it's a test of squad management and mental fortitude. Every match is a final, and the team's performance will be scrutinized through the lens of their calculated rest strategy. The coming weeks will reveal if this approach provides the fresh legs needed to lift the trophy or adds an unnecessary burden in an already intense title race.