Mikel Arteta Cannot Avoid Upsetting Two Arsenal Stars After William Saliba Suspension

William Saliba’s red card is set to impact Arsenal’s defensive setup significantly. The one-match suspension for Saliba highlights why Arsenal prioritised building depth in their defensive ranks under Mikel Arteta.

The France international was shown a red card for preventing Bournemouth striker Evanilson from a clear goal-scoring opportunity during Arsenal’s 2-0 loss at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday. As a result, Saliba’s absence in defenxe comes at a crucial time, with Arsenal preparing for a major title clash against Liverpool this weekend.

Arteta has multiple options to choose from for the upcoming match, and his choice of back-four will send a clear message to Arsenal’s defenders regarding their place in the squad hierarchy. With three starting spots available and five players vying for them, two defenders are sure to be left out.

The primary concern is who will replace Saliba at center-back. Gabriel is a guaranteed starter on the left side, so a right-footed player has an advantage for the vacant position, with Ben White emerging as the leading candidate.

White, aged 27, played an entire season alongside Gabriel before Saliba returned from his loan spell in France. His chances of starting as a center-back will improve if Jurrien Timber is fit to play at right-back, a role typically filled by White.

Jurrien Timber has not featured since Arsenal’s Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain a little over three weeks ago, but Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he is “close” to a return and has been training with the squad.

Throwing the Dutch defender back into action won’t be a risk for Arteta, as Timber made an immediate impact at the beginning of the season and excelled in high-pressure situations, including his standout performance against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Timber’s versatility has seen him regularly deployed at left-back, but fortunately for Arteta, he has another strong option in Riccardo Calafiori.

The Italian has impressed with his performances this season and appears to be the ideal candidate to round out the back-four.

If Timber, White, Gabriel, and Calafiori make up the defensive lineup, it will mean disappointment for Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who would miss out on a rare chance to push for more game time following Saliba’s suspension.

Kiwior, who was brought in as a promising defensive option, will turn 25 in February, and his frustration at remaining on the bench is likely growing.

Zinchenko, who has only recently returned from a calf injury, faces a challenging period as he no longer seems to fit Arteta’s ideal left-back profile. Being left out of the squad against Liverpool would only confirm this further.

The competition for defensive spots would be even tougher if Takehiro Tomiyasu were available, but the Japanese international is still recovering from a knee injury that keeps him sidelined.

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