There was one major problem in Arsenal’s squad vs Sporting but Mikel Arteta got away with it

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Arsenal absolutely battered Sporting CP in the Champions League.

The Portuguese giants were unbeaten at home for 18 months. Even Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were humiliated by Sporting.

Everyone warned Arsenal about them, but Mikel Arteta’s game plan worked brilliantly. The Gunners were on a different level and deservedly won the game 5-1.

The positive result has lifted the spirits around the club, but a second look at Arsenal’s squad on the day highlights one big issue.

Arsenal’s squad vs Sporting showed one major problem

Arsenal are one of the best teams in Europe.

The Gunners, on their day, are capable of beating any club in the world, and they have proved their quality home and away over the last two years.

Arteta named a strong starting line-up against Sporting on Tuesday night, and the bench was pretty good too.

On first look, that is a solid squad, one that is capable of getting the better of any side. But, when you look closely, you notice a big problem.

Arsenal’s bench included four options at left-back – Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

But, there wasn’t a single player on the substitutes list who is capable of playing at right-back – Jurrien Timber is currently the only fit senior player in that position at the club.

Yes, Thomas Partey would’ve been the emergency option if something had happened to Timber, but the Ghana international’s fitness record is not great either.

Arteta should’ve named a young right-back from the academy – perhaps someone like Josh Nichols, who is good enough to play in Ben White’s absence.

Thankfully, Timber came out of the game without any trouble, and the lack of options at right-back didn’t come back to haunt Arteta and Arsenal.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta made a bold prediction about Jurrien Timber at Arsenal, and he was spot on

Mikel Arteta needs to make one big decision at Arsenal

When everybody’s fit, Arsenal have Timber, White and Takehiro Tomiyasu at right-back. Those three players are solid options.

However, White is now ruled out for months, while Tomiyasu has barely played this season because of multiple injury issues.

We love the Japan international – he is a great player. But, his inability to remain fit for a whole season is causing problems at Arsenal.

We don’t know what Arteta’s plan is with Tomiyasu, but we think Arsenal should invest in a new right-back in the January transfer window.