Arteta should relocate Arsenal’s £120k-p/w “wild horse” to fill Gabriel void

The Premier League is lastly again tomorrow, and Arsenal proceed their marketing campaign with the North London Derby on Sunday afternoon.

Nevertheless, it may very well be a tougher recreation than final yr, as even with Martin Odegaard again in coaching, Mikel Arteta’s aspect may very well be with out a number of key gamers.

The supervisor would not say whether or not the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz or Gabriel Martinelli have been again in rivalry, for instance, however one participant who is certain to be out is Gabriel Magalhaes.

The Brazilian centre-back is ready to be out for at the least a couple of weeks, and whereas that is a large blow, the answer may very well be to maneuver one other defender into a unique place.

Arsenal’s report in opposition to Spurs

Arsenal’s recreation in opposition to Spurs on Sunday afternoon would be the 212th aggressive assembly between the rivals.

Their first encounter got here all the way in which again in November 1896, when the Gunners have been nonetheless south of the River, and led to a 2-1 Arsenal victory.

Since then, whereas the Lilywhites have had durations of dominance, it is the crimson aspect of North London which have had the higher of the rivalry, profitable 89 video games, drawing 55 and shedding 67.

Unsurprisingly, Arteta’s aspect have been much more dominant than that in recent times, shedding simply two of the final ten conferences, drawing one and profitable the opposite seven.

Furthermore, the title chasers are undefeated of their final six video games in opposition to their outdated enemy and, regardless of being in a spot of trouble form-wise on the time, gained the newest assembly 2-1.

What makes that win all of the extra spectacular is that Son Heung-min really opened the scoring for the guests within the twenty fifth minute.

Nevertheless, Arsenal have been again in entrance simply 19 minutes later, because of a Dominic Solanke personal aim and an excellent effort from Leandro Trossard.

With all that stated, regardless that Arteta has persistently gotten the higher of Spurs, the sport on Sunday might be a troublesome one, however he may have already got an answer to Gabriel’s damage.

Arteta’s resolution to Gabriel’s damage

The excellent news for Arsenal is that there are a couple of methods Arteta can go about changing Gabriel.

For instance, he might deliver Cristhian Mosquera again into the aspect, play Ben White there and even hand a begin to Piero Hincapie.

Nevertheless, the previous is right-footed, White hasn’t performed at centre-back in a very long time, and the Ecuadorian continues to be unproven on this crew, so throwing him right into a derby may be unwise.

Due to this fact, whereas it may not be the most well-liked determination, Arteta ought to transfer Riccardo Calafiori from left-back into the Brazilian’s place.

Now, there are a couple of causes for this, and the primary is that, just like the injured star, the Italian worldwide is left-footed, and whereas which may not appear all that necessary at first, it truly is.

It offers the defence some actual steadiness and makes it simpler for him to play out from the again when going up the left-hand aspect of the pitch.

The second purpose the dynamic defender must be moved into the again two is that he is already received loads of expertise taking part in there.

For instance, throughout his time with Bologna, he made 29 appearances at centre-back and solely six as a full-back. Furthermore, throughout pre-season, he as soon as once more performed there when Gabriel was out with the damage he picked up in opposition to Fulham final season.

Lastly, the 23-year-old “wild horse,” as dubbed by the Telegraph’s Sam Dean, has already performed loads of soccer this season, so he must be way more conversant in the techniques than one of many different choices. And whereas he did return early from worldwide obligation, there’s a good probability he is able to play.

Finally, whereas Arteta has a number of choices to switch Gabriel on Sunday, he ought to go together with the £120k-per-week Calafiori.

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Arsenal handed one other damage doubt for Tottenham conflict after twist and Gabriel blow

It might see the recall of an thrilling expertise.