Is Ricardo Calafiori ready for his first Arsenal start after an international break? So far, since moving to the Emirates stadium, the Italian recruit has only made cameo appearances.
He played 27 minutes in Arsenal’s 2-0 Emirates Cup victory over Lyon. He did not feature in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Wolves; however, he did play 11 minutes in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa and 32 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Brighton.
With Declan Rice (red card) and Mikel Merino (injury) set to miss the derby, the Italian has a chance for his first Arsenal start. One of Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, and Oleksander Zinchenko can fill in for Rice/Merino in midfield with Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey.
However, given the momentum Timber has gained while playing inverted left back, there is every reason to believe he will be the one to play midfield.
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s defensive shortcomings will likely hinder him from starting at left back if Timber shifts to midfield. So Calafiori should get his first start in the left-back position. The ex-Bologna man is technically gifted and is a defender who can both defend and contribute in attack (which is why we signed him).
Once subbed on against Brighton, the 10-man Arsenal looked much better defensively; it wasn’t like the Seagulls were going to score every minute like it felt before his introduction. So, are you looking forward to Calafiori’s debut?
Daniel O
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Why not? If he’s fit, there seems little point in having a £40m player warming the bench if he can make a positive contribution on the pitch. Give him a chance.
I would have more confidence seeing Calafiori at LB and Timber in midfield compared with Zinchenko at LB and Jorginho in midfield.
I’m not the manager, so interested to see Arteta’s selections.
The newer players really make things interesting. MA certainly knows them much better than any of us could at this point.
timber RB calafiori LB white DM but will our gaffer do it NO WAY
So how the midfield will be vs spurs.We used to play offensivelly with one pivot and 8s,if start Party,Jourgenio and Odigard,it looks too defensive.If we play with either Party or joirgenio alone,both lack pace and this why the red card of Rice is really disastrous.Klop and Guardiola don’t hesitate to give their young talent the opportunities to play against big teams,so is it time to see the talented Enwaneri.I’m afraid Arteta will start with Haverts,Party and Odegard if Gesus fits.
Partey and particularly jorginho may lack pace but they are our best passes, along with odegaard – despite looking too defensive, it would probably be ok going forwards (jorginho and partey are great at spotting openings for our attacking players) but poorer than usual defensively. Rice gives us a good balance because his pace and stamina enables him to support the attack *and* stop counter attacks *and* screen the defence – it’s his engine that would be missed if we go with that line up.