Source: Daily_Mail
Hughes: Time is right to drop City's travel-sick Robinho
Robinho's sagging reputation in English football is expected to hit a new low tomorrow when the Brazilian is dropped for the first time by Mark Hughes.
The Manchester City boss has been looking to axe his British record £34million signing for some time, but was unable to do so because of injuries to Valeri Bojinov, Benjani, Daniel Sturridge and Martin Petrov.
Jekyll and Hyde character: Robinho has flattered to deceive away from Eastlands
However, with most of his forwards fit again and Robinho not flying back into the country until late this afternoon, after picking up a knock in Brazil's win over Peru in midweek, Hughes has an opportunity to leave him out of the clash at Arsenal.
One of Robinho's 11 goals came against Arsene Wenger's side in November but he has not found the net in 13 games this year.
Combinedwith his dreadful away form, a perceived lack of effort and £165,000-a-week earnings, Hughes has more than enough reasons to drop him.
But yesterday the City boss blamed his star's loss ofform on the strain of having to play regularly in the Premier Leagueafter being used sparingly in Spain.
Hughes said: 'It'sunderstandable because he's playing week in week out, and he hasn'tdone that for a while. It's his first season in one of the strongestand most physical leagues. Also, maybe teams now have the knowledge of what he is capable of doing.
'There are times when you've looked at him and maybe there's been a bitof flatness in his play. But he's never knocked on the door and said,'I'm tired'.
'Every time he goes away on international duty, it's not just a little hop into Europe. It's a trip across continents and that can have a bit of an impact as well.'
A dressing-room clique with fellow Brazilians, a secret flit home to South America, and his arrest over allegations of sexual assault are just some of the issues that have blighted Robinho's time here. Chelsea linked with double Milan raid for Kaka and coach Ancelotti
