Arsene Wenger has admitted what we all know – he needs to rest Alexis as he is exhausted.

Well, ‘fatigued‘ if you want to get all technical about the whole thing, but they mean the same thing.

Off the boil for a while now the Chilean forward, who arrived in England in the summer and promptly set about setting the league on fire has lost his spark.

Finding the net just once in his last 11 games, it’s clear to everyone that he needs a bit of a break, but with every game at this stage of the season taking on added importance, when do you drop him?

Speaking to Arsenal.com, the boss has revealed that, contrary to previous statements when he mentioned that Alexis wouldn’t let him rest him, it will be the manager who decides when it’s time for him to take a break.

You’d really think that against Newcastle would be the ideal opportunity, especially when you consider that his form isn’t likely to do much to help us win the game anyway.

Wenger said

“He’s a bit [fatigued].

“Also, because he is in a position where he has scored less, he wants to force his game and then he is more included in physical battles.

“Maybe goalscoring is on his mind so he wants to do too much and he wants to force his game.

“I’m tempted [to rest him] at some stage, I have been for a long time. It’s not that he won’t let me, I will decide that!

“It’s just that every game now is so important, you always have a hesitation to do it.”