Adrian Clarke believes one Arsenal player could cause issues for Mikel Arteta’s team if he starts against Manchester City on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s outfit travel to North London to take on the Gunners in a huge clash which could have significant ramifications on the Premier League title race.
Arsenal beat Athletic Club in Bilbao on Tuesday night, while City face Napoli at the Etihad on Thursday, giving Arteta’s side an advantage regarding recovery time before the showdown in N5.
The Gunners boss has a number of team selection headaches to mull over before the game.
Adrian Clarke says Riccardo Calafiori could be a ‘problem’ for Arsenal against Manchester City
Riccardo Calafiori has been excellent for Arsenal so far this season.
Displacing Myles Lewis-Skelly in the starting line-up, the Italian’s desire to roam into advanced areas has provided the Gunners with an element of unpredictability.
He’s also been defensively solid enough for the North Londoners to maintain their imperious defensive structure, conceding just one goal in five matches.
That said, Adrian Clarke believes Calafiori’s adventurousness could compromise this solidity against City.
The former Arsenal player and now pundit has warned Arteta that the Gunners must be very careful in possession when their left-back opts to move forward.
“So, we really, really have to look after the ball inside our own half when Riccardo Calafiori has steamed up the pitch because if we don’t, then we’re going to leave ourselves short-handed and against better teams, better individuals, it could be a problem,” Clarke said on his YouTube channel.
“Man City at the weekend is a prime example.”
Gabriel Martinelli should start against Man City to protect Riccardo Calafiori
Calafiori has been described as an ‘exciting’ player, and this flamboyance in his game should be encouraged by Arteta.
However, like the tactician did at Anfield, he must take precautions if he selects the 23-year-old by starting Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing.
The Brazilian is outstanding defensively and can certainly help cover for Calafiori’s deficiencies in this area.
Tuesday’s match-winner’s inclusion against City will also allow Eberechi Eze to move inside and play in midfield, filling the creative void left by the injured Martin Odegaard.
Eze was isolated out wide against Athletic Club, but Gunners supporters could see the best of him in a more central role on Sunday.
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