Not Kiwior, Arteta can unleash wildcard centre-back vs Liverpool with Timber at left-back – opinion | OneFootball

Arsenal welcome Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium in today’s crucial Premier League clash.

The Gunners find themselves six points behind leaders Manchester City following a disappointing 2-0 loss to Bournemouth last weekend.

They are also four points adrift of second-placed Liverpool and today’s game is a must-win to avoid losing ground in the title race.

A defeat could see them seven points off the summit after just nine games into the season.

Ahead of the encounter, manager Mikel Arteta has a selection headache on his hands with William Saliba suspended and Riccardo Calafiori injured.

Jurrien Timber looks to have finally recovered from injury and the Dutchman could be asked to play at left-back ahead of Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Jakub Kiwior is the natural replacement for Saliba at centre-back, but the left-footed ace has been unconvincing from the right-sided role.

He made a high-profile error in the recent loss to the Cherries and Arteta could be reluctant to start him.

In that case, the Spaniard could unleash a wildcard option in the form of Declan Rice.

Rice has largely operated as a deep-lying defensive midfielder in his career, but he has made 20 appearances as a central defender.

The Englishman will be making his 250th Premier League appearance today and Arteta could have a surprise in store against the Reds.

Rice is obviously better than Kiwior with his passing and aerial presence. He also has the recovery pace which Kiwior has tended to lack.

If Arteta were to experiment with a wildcard option, Rice could be deployed alongside Gabriel Magalhaes.

Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino could start in the heart of the midfield against Arne Slot’s side.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com