If Mikel Arteta needs to replace Jurrien Timber when Arsenal plays Southampton, he has six possible replacements.
During the Champions League game against PSG, Jurrien Timber was taken off at halftime. Another great performance by the Dutchman, who held Bradley Barcola easily on Arsenal’s right side before having to leave the game and be replaced by Jakub Kiwior.
An report on the player was asked of Mikel Arteta in his press conference after the game. Without sounding too negative, it’s still unclear how bad any problem really is.
Following the game, Arteta stated, “He was amazing in the first half, but he felt something in his muscle and was unsure, and I didn’t want to take any risks.” “After not playing for a year, he’s played a lot of minutes lately—probably more than we wanted—and we need to keep an eye on him.”
Timber could use the extra time to heal and deal with the load after playing so much football since his return from injury during the last game before the international break.
Ben White
Because he missed the last training session before the game on Tuesday night, Ben White didn’t make the team, according to Mikel Arteta. If he really is close, Arteta might be able to bring him back into the group.
Although White missed the last three games because of a knee injury, he had to come on late in the game against Manchester City to help secure the win at the Etihad Stadium. Hopefully, he has had enough time to heal and can come in and make a great backup for the game.
Riccardo Calafiori
Arteta might start Saturday’s game the same way he ended the one against PSG if White isn’t ready. Riccardo Calafiori went to the right side, and Kiwior came on to replace Timber.
Throughout the first half of the game, he kept showing up in these strange spots. During the first half, he was free to play anywhere, and Arteta praised his versatility, which was a clear sign that he could do a great job if he were required.
He is very happy playing in different positions, as he did in Italy, which is why Arteta signed him. “First, he’s a great defender. He responds with presence, energy, and full commitment, and he’s really brave.”
„He doesn’t care in those cases; he just wants the ball and wants to make things happen with it. He’s okay with switching roles.
Supporters won’t like this one because when Gabriel wasn’t in the starting lineup at the start of the previous season, Thomas Partey played right back and Ben White and William Saliba played center back. This might be something Arteta tries again.
Once Mikel Merino is fully fit again, he and Declan Rice can play in the lower midfield positions, and Partey could move to right back. Supporters didn’t like the job, but at the time, the numbers looked good, as we talked about after the frustrating draw with Fulham.
In addition to these three, young Josh Nichols could get the call, though he had some tough times in the Carabao Cup match against Bolton. Not playing against PSG was Josh Robinson, another center-half type who can also play right-sided full-back if Arteta wants to pick someone else. Finally, Takehiro Tomiyasu could be picked if he passes the fitness tests.
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