Mikel Arteta faces a selection dilemma over a replacement for Myles Lewis-Skelly ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
The Hale End academy star has become an integral part of the senior side at the Emirates Stadium, becoming a regular at left-back.
The 18-year-old has shown great composure on the ball as well as an ability to defend, though it hasn’t come without its challenges.
He now faces the latest obstacle in trying to get back into the team, with Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card against West Ham now keeping him out of action for the coming match with Nottingham Forest.
Fortunately for Mikel Arteta, there are plenty of options Arsenal have to pick from at left-back who could fill the gap.
Arsenal replacements for Myles Lewis-Skelly
Riccardo Calafiori
Perhaps the most obvious option is Riccardo Calafiori, with the Italian international signed to play left-back last summer.
Injuries have made it difficult for the defender to feature as much as he would’ve hoped, along with the emergence of Lewis-Skelly.
However, Calafiori will be looking to make the left-back shirt his once again if he is to be trusted with a start against Nottingham Forest.
The pace and skill of Anthony Elanga will be the main issue he would be tasked with concealing to deny any attacking threat from the home side.
Jurrien Timber
With Ben White’s return from injury, there is more depth at right-back which could see Jurrien Timber shuffled back to left-back.
The Netherlands international featured there regularly at the start of the campaign as injury issues worsened.
Timber is a solid defender and more than capable when it comes to building attacks on the left or the right of the defence.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
A natural fit at left-back is Oleksandr Zinchenko, who brings a slightly different profile to Arsenal in the backline.
The 28-year-old is more than capable when it comes to building the team’s attacks from the back, with plenty of quality on the ball.
His defensive attributes are questionable though and it comes with the risk of the Gunners being slightly more open at the back.
Kieran Tierney
Kieran Tierney is set to leave Arsenal for Celtic in the coming months, but could still have a big say on the season before he makes an exit.
The left-back offers attacking width and is a capable defender, though he has largely been used as a left-wing option late in games.
Jakub Kiwior
Arteta could make the bold choice to use Jakub Kiwior at left-back, with the ace able to play in that position when required.
It isn’t the most comfortable position for the Polish international though, who is likely to be an option further down the list of available stars to feature there.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
