Mikel Arteta hints he could start one player at centre-back for the first time in his Arsenal career after Gabriel’s injury

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Arsenal have a defensive crisis going into the games against Everton and Real Madrid.

The Gunners have had so many injuries this campaign. Mikel Arteta hasn’t had a fully fit squad available at his disposal at any point this season, and that has hurt his title ambitions.

To make things worse, Gabriel Magalhaes has been ruled out for the rest of the season, while Jurrien Timber and Ben White are still doubts for the game against Everton.

In case those two don’t make it and Arsenal find themselves in a desperate situation, Arteta has confirmed that he could convert one of his midfielders into a centre-half.

Mikel Arteta comments on starting Declan Rice as a centre-back at Arsenal

Declan Rice started his senior career as a central defender at West Ham.

The Englishman was educated in the heart of the defence, but his ability on the ball and athleticism convinced those in East London to push him into midfield.

With Gabriel definitely out and Riccardo Calafiori still unfit, Arsenal are hoping to have one of Timber or White back, but it’s still unclear if they will be able to make it.

Arsenal fans are worried about Jakub Kiwior starting against Real Madrid, and that has led to some suggestions that Rice should start there instead.

Arteta was asked about that in his press conference on Friday, and the Arsenal boss claimed that he hopes it won’t be needed, but if it is, he will use Rice in the heart of the defence.

He said: “We would, yeah, for sure. We tried against PSV away last season, and he’s played in that position.

“Hopefully, it won’t be needed. But, if it is, he’s a player that is capable of doing that.”

Has Declan Rice started as a centre-back for Arsenal before?

Rice has actually played as a centre-back for Arsenal before, but it wasn’t from the start.

In a Champions League game against PSV in the 2023/24 season, when the Gunners had issues with their defence, Arteta threw Rice on as a substitute in place of William Saliba.

“We are very short at the back, and I really wanted to try if something happened how we’re going to resolve that situation, and I thought he was really good,” Arteta said after the game, as per Goal.

“He has played there before. We have to try as if we have an emergency we have to understand and to be sure that we can fill that gap in the right way.

“He has a lot of composure on the ball, he wins a lot of duels for a player of his size and he has done it in the past. He is a good option.”