Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie have both shown great versatility for Arsenal, but Martin Keown has suggested Mikel Arteta is using both incorrectly.
Keown made the point during Arsenal’s comfortable 3-0 win over Club Brugge, which now puts them on six wins from six in the Champions League.
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A brace from Noni Madueke and one from Gabriel Martinelli ensured the Gunners created history in the competition by winning their first six games in a row for the first time.
Arteta was able to shuffle his pack throughout the match, and one of those changes saw him use Calafiori in a different position than normal.
Martin Keown wants Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie to swap positions at Arsenal
Martin Keown wants to see Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie swap positions at Arsenal, with the former moving to central defence and the Ecuadorian shifted to left-back.
Calafiori actually arrived at Arsenal from Bologna as a central defender, but was converted into a full-back by Arteta.
Meanwhile, Hincapie has done the opposite, having featured mostly as a left-back for Bayer Leverkusen, Arteta has been using him in central defence.
Where do you see Riccardo Calafiori’s best position at Arsenal long-term?
Left-back or central defence?
During the game, Keown told TNT Sports commentary: “I think it’s interesting that Calafiori is coming in as a centre-back. I actually feel as though his body type, I know he’s incredibly versatile, is better suited to play at centre half with his aerial ability.
“Well, you know, when you take away Gabriel and Saliba, which we haven’t even mentioned tonight, such has been the quality of the performance, but what they do so well is win everything in the air, and I think he’s similar in that body type to them.
“He’s very powerful in the air. Take nothing away from Hincapie, but his position is better as a left-back. But that’s down to the manager, he sees them every day.”
The thing is, though, Calafiori can do a bit of everything, and his ability to get forward as a full-back has been a beneficial asset for Arteta’s team.
Jurrien Timber should be back for Arsenal vs Wolves
One player missing from Arsenal’s win in Belgium was Jurrien Timber, who didn’t travel due to a knock he picked up against Aston Villa.
Arsenal will be desperate to ensure he has suffered no long-term issue, but that certainly does not appear to be the case.
The Dutch defender was spotted training with the Arsenal squad ahead of the Champions League game against Brugge.
Therefore, it should be good news for his potential involvement against Wolves, as Timber is likely to start at centre-back again.
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