Arsenal face Mansfield Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup, and youngsters like Marli Salmon are expected to get an opportunity.
The Gunners are among the best teams in the world. Mikel Arteta’s side are the favourites to win the Champions League and the Premier League this season.
Mansfield Town, on the other hand, are 16th in League One and have won just one of their last 10 games in all competitions.
That makes Arsenal the overwhelming favourites, and Salmon could be the beneficiary by getting a start – albeit at right-back.
👀 Which defender does Arsenal talent Marli Salmon remind you of the most?
Marli Salmon could play as a right-back for Arsenal against Mansfield Town
Marli Salmon is one of Arsenal’s most exciting young talents.
The 16-year-old is a regular for the Gunners’ academy sides, and he has made a tremendous name for himself at that level.
Naturally a centre-half, Salmon has drawn comparisons to William Saliba, who is one of the best defenders in the world today.
That is definitely where his future lies, but the talented youngster can play as a right-back too if required.
That is where we think Salmon will get an opportunity against Mansfield Town, as Jurrien Timber needs a break and Ben White is currently out injured.
With Myles Lewis-Skelly suspended as well, we think Arsenal’s back four could look like Riccardo Calafiori, William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera and Salmon.
That is still a very strong backline and should be able to deal with Mansfield quite comfortably on Saturday.
Arsenal fans…how many goals can the Gunners put past Mansfield in the FA Cup?
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Marli Salmon can play as a right-back
Salmon’s future is definitely as a centre-half, but he is good enough to play at right-back as well.
In fact, when the 16-year-old made his senior Arsenal debut in the Champions League game against Club Brugge, Mikel Arteta used him as a right-back in the final minutes of the game.
After the win in Belgium, when the Arsenal manager was asked about Salmon, he confirmed that the youngster can play in that position.
“We knew that at some point we had to use him. So, he was ready, he was prepared, he can play as a centre-back or as a full-back, and I’m delighted,” Arteta said about Salmon.
“He’s so young, 16 still, and he’s playing in the Champions League.”
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