Arsenal suddenly have a serious issue at right-back.
Ben White’s season-ending injury has left Mikel Arteta short of options at a crucial stage of the campaign. Jurrien Timber is also still sidelined, which means Cristhian Mosquera is currently the only senior natural option available to fill in there.
While the Spaniard has done well despite being a centre-back by trade, Arsenal cannot head into the Champions League final relying entirely on just one player in that position.
That is why Arteta may now have to think creatively, and one academy talent could suddenly become very important – Marli Salmon.
🤕 Fill in the blank: _________ should start at right-back for Arsenal after Ben White’s injury…
Jurrien Timber remains sidelined!
Mikel Arteta could use Marli Salmon at right-back against Burnley
Arsenal’s next Premier League game comes against Burnley at the Emirates Stadium.
With all due respect to the Clarets, this is a match Arteta’s side should comfortably control and pick up a convincing win.
Burnley have already been relegated and are unlikely to pose the same level of threat as the elite sides Arsenal have been facing recently.
That could give Arteta the perfect opportunity to experiment slightly with his team selection. If not from the start, then certainly from the bench, this feels like the ideal game to test another option at right-back.
Marli Salmon is somebody Arsenal should seriously consider there.
The teenager has played in that role before and has impressed Arteta with his performances, even though he is naturally a centre-back.
More importantly, Arsenal desperately need another solution in that position heading towards the Champions League final.
Mosquera cannot realistically be the only available right-back option if Timber does not recover in time. Salmon may now be the only realistic alternative inside the squad.
For that reason, it would not be surprising at all if Arteta handed him minutes at right-back against Burnley.
Marli Salmon should get minutes at right-back vs Burnley – agree or disagree?
Arsenal’s Champions League dream may depend heavily on the right-back position
The reason this issue is becoming so important is because of PSG’s biggest attacking threat.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been one of the best wingers in Europe this season and will almost certainly operate down Arsenal’s right-hand side in the final.
If Timber is not fully fit by then, Arsenal could suddenly find themselves in real trouble defensively.
Mosquera has shown he is capable of holding his own, especially considering he is naturally a centre-back.
However, defending against a player like Kvaratskhelia over 90 minutes in a Champions League final is a completely different challenge altogether.
That is why Arteta needs as many solutions as possible at right-back before Arsenal head to Budapest.
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