Mikel Arteta has a number of options to replace Gabriel Magalhaes in the back four for Arsenal’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur this weekend
Arsenal enter the North London Derby knowing they have quite the roster of absent players, with some others in question for the match. The hope will be that they can welcome back some of those who have been missing in recent weeks.
The problem has, however, been furthered by the news that Gabriel Magalhaes suffered an adductor problem while on duty with Brazil. Playing at the Emirates Stadium against Senegal, the defender over-stretched it seems and has a muscular issue that many believe will see him miss the derby.
In any case, Mikel Arteta now has much greater depth in his squad than in previous campaigns. As a result, football.london takes a look at three potential selections in the back line that could start against Spurs on Sunday.
Timber, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly
The two players that feature in every single selection are Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, who have been imperative to the season so far, the Dutchman in particular. While Riccardo Calafiori had been dealing with a hip problem, the Italian is thought to be available for the game, thankfully.
In this setup, it would be the typical left-back starter who would move inside to cover for Gabriel. This opens up a space at left-back, which would then be filled by Myles Lewis-Skelly, who understands completely the importance of this particular derby.
Timber, Mosquera, Saliba, Calafiori
This setup, however, moves Saliba over to cover the absent Brazilian. Calafiori then re-establishes his position on the left to play the brilliant and unpredictable inverted role he has mastered.
Moving to the right centre half would then be Cristhian Mosquera, who has enjoyed a great start to life at Arsenal. He and Saliba have already partnered with each other in the campaign, which would be beneficial to join forces again on Sunday.
Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori
The final selection is potentially the most likely, with the Ecuador international Piero Hincapie coming into the left-centre-half role, as he did against Brighton in the League Cup.
The problem Arsenal have is that he features for Ecuador in a 1:30am kick-off UK time on Wednesday in South America, meaning he will have a long flight and be one of the last to return from duty with his national team.
