How Arsenal could line up without Gabriel as injury woes continue | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta faces another defensive shuffle after the centre-back’s injury

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As Gabriel limped around the pitch to head down the tunnel at Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta must have been wondering quite what he had done to Lady Luck to deserve this.

Gabriel went down early in the second half of Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool and, after trying to carry on, he had to come off.

The defender watched the remainder of the game with ice on his knee and will be assessed by Arsenal’s medical staff in the coming days.

Jakub Kiwior

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Jakub Kiwior steps up with Riccardo Calafiori out

If Gabriel is out, his replacement would be summer signing Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian has predominantly played at left-back for Arsenal, but he can play in the heart of defence.

Calafiori, however, is out with a knee injury and that would make Jakub Kiwior, who came on for Gabriel against Liverpool, the next in line.

The Poland international was signed by Arsenal in January 2023 as an understudy for Gabriel, but much of his Arsenal career has been at left-back.

Ben White and Thomas Partey on the right

Arteta may look for another solution, though, in the wake of the way Arsenal performed during this draw with Liverpool.

Thomas Partey excelled at right-back, having been deployed there because Ben White had moved to centre-back due to William Saliba being suspended.

Thomas Partey and Ben White impressed against Liverpool

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Partey was a contender for man of the match, winning more tackles than any other Arsenal player and keeping Luis Diaz quiet.

Alongside him, White looked at home in the heart of defence - despite having spent the past two seasons playing as a full-back.

White even created Arsenal’s opening goal, curling a brilliant ball over the top that Bukayo Saka latched onto and scored from.

If Gabriel joins Calafiori on the sidelines, then Arteta may opt to keep that right side of the defence intact.

William Saliba has served his suspension

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William Saliba shuffles across to join Jurrien Timber

Saliba could be moved to left centre-back, which is where he played for France at Euro 2024. The 23-year-old impressed then and was named in the Team of the Tournament.

Jurrien Timber, who was also forced off against Liverpool, could then line up at left-back to complete the defence.

It is hardly a back four Arteta would have envisaged in the summer, but needs must. If Gabriel is sidelined, he will be the seventh Arsenal defender to have been struck by injury this season.