Mikel Arteta may need to make a change on Arsenal’s left side against Manchester City. Watching Arsenal’s 0-0 tie with Atalanta, I couldn’t help but think of how the LHS’s failure to click last season held back this Arsenal team, for how it didn’t look flawless Thursday night.
Against Atlanta, the left side of Timber, Rice, and Martinelli definitely lacked a proper ballplayer; it looked a little stiff and right-footed. If the Gunners intend to outwit the Citizens, they need to make some adjustments in the LHS.
To improve their left wing, Arteta signed Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino. The plan was to have midfielder Merino play LCM and defender Calafiori play left back. The Spanish midfielder is unavailable for LCM selection due to a shoulder injury sustained during training, while the Italian defender has yet to make the starting lineup. Don’t you think Arteta should unleash Calafiori while Merino recovers from his injury to return and complete Arsenal’s LHS equation?
Timber is a solid leftback, but he isn’t as fluid as Calafiori. In his 18-minute cameo against Atalanta, he provided Arsenal with plenty of unpredictability in the build-up and possession phases. Watching that game, you could see he gave them the X factor on the ball to work with. If there is one element of surprise for Arsenal entering into the match against City, it could be starting Calafiori and introducing Timber to finish the game.
Gabriel Martinelli had a difficult game against Atalanta, so starting Calafiori and Merino (when he returns) to lay the groundwork for him to recapture his mojo could be one approach to giving the Arsenal LHS a boost.
Peter Rix
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I personally think our best defence is Timber, Saliba, Gariel and Calaforini. But we have many permutations when players are fit. Probably a back three of Saliba, Gabriel and Calaforini would allow Zinchenko to play better (less reliability on his defending) or Timber, inverted. White can play CB as well. Tomi can play LB, CB and left back as cover. Calaforini and White, in some games could play CB (possibly cups, to give Saliba and Gabriel a rest. There are many permutations. We are not short in that area.
Our best defence? No Ben White, really?
I think Timber is a better RB. Ir at least can be. He is faster, stronger and a better actual footballer than White.
Plus White is a CB playing RB. He has done a decent job but he is limited at RB.
Calafiori height is an extra man for set-pieces, at would be Merino if fit
it’s a shame about the injuries, at the start of the season I was the XI as our best for away fixtures against elite teams – 6 big guys
White —– Saliba —– Gabriel —– Calafiori
Odegaard —— Rice —— Merino
Saka —— Havertz —— Martinelli
unfortunately we might have to wait some time to find out
I agree. Having a left footed player out there makes a difference because they can move the ball just a little quicker before being closed down. A left footed player can also drive with the ball along the touch line, on the outside whereas the right footed players will always cut inside and that’s easier to defend against. Calafiori gives us more balance.
Yes.
We spent over 40 million for him because he is an excellent defender
He should at least have more playing time if not start
Timber is solid. The change needed is Gabriel for Calafiori. Big Gabby doesn’t play well under pressure and that’s what mancity will offer.
Are you serious, Gabriel doesn’t play well under pressure?
Timber doesn’t need replacing at L.b coz he hasn’t done anything wrong. Our problem is in midfield.
I’ve seen Philip Lahm,David Alaba,Alphonso Davis Rico Lewis etc who are defenders cover so well in midfield whenever their teams had a crisis.
I believe Calafiori will give us a different dimension and better team balance compared to what we’ve tried so far.
He shouldn’t be wasted on the bench simply because the defence is covered when he can make us better playing in midfield atleast for now.
I’m more confident about timber in midfield than calafiori though – partly that’s because I do think timber has super close control and a great ability to turn in tight spaces which lends itself to centre midfield, but it’s also because I’ve not seen that much of calafiori. My impression is that cala is better when everything’s in front of him and he doesn’t have to turn (with the ball at least) so he can charge forwards, which might make him better starting at lb then in midfield, but I could well be wrong