Not Kiwior, Arteta may unleash a wildcard centre-back against Liverpool with Timber at left-back – opinion
Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in today’s vital Premier League match.
After a humiliating 2-0 loss to Bournemouth last weekend, the Gunners are now six points behind leaders Manchester City.
They are also four points behind second-placed Liverpool, and today’s encounter is a must-win to keep their title hopes alive.
After only nine games, a loss could drop them seven points behind the leaders.
Manager Mikel Arteta faces a selection headache ahead of the game, with William Saliba suspended and Riccardo Calafiori injured.
Jurrien Timber appears to have fully recovered from his injury, and the Dutchman could be asked to play left-back ahead of Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Jakub Kiwior is the natural replacement for Saliba at centre-back, but the left-footed ace has struggled in the right-sided position.
He committed a high-profile error in the recent loss to the Cherries, so Arteta may be hesitant to start him.
Given Takehiro Tomiyasu’s knee injury, the Spaniard could turn to Declan Rice as a wildcard option.
Rice has primarily played as a deep-lying defensive midfielder during his career, but he has also made 20 appearances as a center defender.
The Englishman will make his 250th Premier League appearance today, and Arteta could have a surprise for the Reds.
Rice’s passing and aerial abilities clearly outperform Kiwior’s. He also has a faster healing rate than Kiwior.
If Arteta decides to use a wildcard, Rice might play with Gabriel Magalhaes.
Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino could start in the center of the midfield against Arne Slot’s team.
Leave a Reply