Sol Campbell has found a ‘top replacement’ for Gabriel Magalhaes at Arsenal but it would be a gamble

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Arsenal are expected to be without Gabriel Magalhaes when Tottenham Hotspur come to the Emirates for the North London Derby.

The true extent of the Brazil international’s injury has not been confirmed yet, but reports have claimed that he could be out until January next year.

Arsenal have plenty of options to replace Gabriel, but Sol Campbell, like Ian Wright, thinks Cristhian Mosquera will get the nod.

Sol Campbell says Cristhian Mosquera is a ‘top replacement’ for Gabriel Magalhaes at Arsenal

Mosquera has been really impressive for Arsenal since joining the club in the summer.

The 21-year-old was thrown into play at Anfield, which is one of the toughest away grounds in world football. Yet, he performed really well against Liverpool.

Mosquera has further impressed since, and he is one of the options to fill in for Gabriel Magalhaes when Arsenal take on Tottenham on Sunday.

Campbell, who knows all about the North London Derby, thinks he is the perfect replacement.

He said on talkSPORT: “I think you go to Mosquera. I think he will go in. I think they kind of took him out a little bit because maybe (he was) a little bit, not naive, but just a little bit wet behind the ears in certain scenarios.

“But he’s definitely a top replacement, and he’s going to be obviously an incredible player going forward.”

That is an interesting suggestion, but forcing a right-footed defender to play on the left in such a huge game would be a big gamble.

Arsenal are so used to playing a left-footed player at left-centre-half, so going with Mosquera would upset the balance of the side in all phases of play.

Mikel Arteta has two better options than Mosquera to replace Gabriel

Campbell is right when he says that Mosquera is going to be an incredible player going forward.

The Spaniard has all the qualities you would want in a centre-half, and by the time he reaches his prime, we think he will be one of the best defenders in the world.

However, against Tottenham, we think Mikel Arteta should choose one of Riccardo Calafiori or Piero Hincapie to play next to Saliba at the back.

Both players are excellent, and the fact that they are left-footed will preserve the balance of the team. That will give Arsenal a better chance of taking all three points.