Pictures have emerged of Arsenal’s team in training this week, with Hector Bellerin, Gabriel, William Saliba and Kieran Tierney appearing as a back-four.
Fans have been calling out for a return to the tradition four at the back for some time, but that will certainly not be the only reason that my fellow Gunners will be excited by the image.
Youngster Saliba is yet to get the nod to make his debut, nor has he been selected to make a senior squad as of yet, but he appears to be readying himself alongside the players that are currently considered our best options in each position.
Arteta using Arsenal's long-term back four during training today.#afc pic.twitter.com/QKWhL4HqnP
— Gilles 🇳🇬🏴 (@_Grimanditweets) October 21, 2020
This image will certainly have fans excited to see tonight’s starting line-up with the possibility of the above being named, although we are not expecting the youngster to get the nod just yet.
Some fans have already let their feelings be known over the prospect of lining up with the above.
A Thierney, Gabriel, Saliba, Bellerin back four in training
I'm crying 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/RY6mPLigJG
— Forbbiden_fruit (@phokompe_pakasi) October 21, 2020
We love to see it https://t.co/IKG3fWXOGD
— LTArsenal™ (@ltarsenal) October 21, 2020
Could Arteta be ready to give the young Frenchman his first start?
Not tonight for Saliba.. but yes that back 4 does excite me and hope to see it real soon!
Coach need to bench Bellerin he is the biggest liability in the team
What have you smoked,Bellerin a liability? Oh,come of it please.
Apart from AMN replacing Bellerin, I hope we see this back four in action in the not too distant future.With Partey in the DM role this could be the solid foundation we have needed for some time.
👍
Grandad has it about right for me. Saliba was too widely regarded as a future top player and was already, before he came to us, being touted as a future great, not to be in MAs future planning. We are told he has had personal problems an losing his Mum at his tender age is bound to be hard to take.
But tragedys make you a stronger person, as is widely accepted and I remain hopeful of a Saliba/ Gabriel CB partnership that will last many years as our defensive mainstay.
Tierney is a class player but Bellerin stands out in THAT company like a sore thumb. He will not be at Arsenal long now is my confident forecast. I see him being elsewhere next season and fervently hope so too.
That is great to see. Strong, agile and ball playing back four. I can’t wait to see this back four, hope it will make us the most strongest team in defence for years and years.