While there is certainly some good news for Arsenal on the injury front, with the return of Danny Welbeck after a long spell on the sidelines as well as Arsene Wenger being able to call upon the likes of Mesut Ozil and Laurent Koscielny, it is not all good for the Gunners as we prepare for the Premier League match away to Swansea City.
The manager is still without Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott but for me the biggest issue is the continued absence of our young right back Hector Bellerin. This is not just because the Spaniard is such a good player either, but because it is arguably the one position in the side where Wenger does not have good cover.
Debuchy is not fit and Jenkinson seems to have completely lost his confidence and form. We have Gabriel who to be fair to him did alright when put in there recently. He does not have anything like the same attacking and creative ability as Bellerin though and is much more comfortable doing the defensive side of the role.
The other options are Rob Holding, although he is like Gabriel without the experience, and the young Ashley Maitland-Niles. The young Gunner came back strongly after a shaky start in the FA cup against Preston and he seems to give us something going forward.
So in a game that Arsenal need to win against the struggling Swans, should Wenger go for Maitland-Niles or Gabriel?
Bob.
Gabs
With Maitland-Niles not being experienced enough, Debuchy injured and Jenkinson not capable, I’d play Gabriel at right back, Mustafi and Koscielny as the centre backs and Monreal as the left back.
Gabriel did very well in Bellerin’s absence. I thought he played the role quite intelligently.
Probably Gabriel, but the Ox has also proved an unlikely candidate in that position as well. I’m glad that we have such a big squad, as although on paper, it looks excessive, with all the perennial injuries, we need it. I also think all the uncertainty over Sanchez, Ozil and Wenger is destabilizing the team, Alexis is probably worth pushing the boat out for, and Arsenal do need a talisman player who consistently performs – Alexis is both of those. It is better spending money on him rather than wasting money on people like Sanogo.
I would go for Maitland-Niles. He did well against Preston, given his lack of adequate experience in the first team.
Knowing the huge threat posed by swansea I wouldn’t take a gamble on Niles. Just play Gabriel.