The new top-flight campaign kicks off this week, with the Gunners having just under a week before facing Manchester United, at Old Trafford, in their season opener. Arsenal endured a fairly disjointed pre-season, with little continuity due to the arrival of new players and injury-related absences.
Against Athletic Club, however, Mikel Arteta fielded a line-up that could feature together for much of the upcoming campaign. The midfield trio of Martin Zubimendi, Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice played together for the first time in that encounter, and their inclusion was telling as the Gunners put in an assertive display.
The performance of one player caught the eye despite him featuring only in the first half – Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian delivered a really encouraging display, particularly showing his attacking qualities. His performance generated a buzz online, and many fans now believe he should be the first choice at left-back.
Calafiori’s attacking edge
Does he have a chance of starting the campaign as the undisputed first choice? He probably does if Mikel Arteta persists with a double pivot in midfield. Arteta used Zubimendi and Rice at the base, giving Calafiori the freedom to push forward and impact the attacking play.
His unpredictability brought more chaos to the left flank compared to the more conservative Myles Lewis-Skelly, and fans argue that is exactly what is needed. Gabriel Martinelli also benefits from having the marauding Italian alongside him, gaining more support and freedom. A quick comparison of their profiles suggests Calafiori might also be the better option defensively, although Lewis-Skelly is solid in that regard too.
Injury record a concern
Despite his strong performance against Athletic Club and the potential positives he could add to the starting line-up, it is difficult to expect Calafiori to nail down a regular spot just yet. The biggest concern is his injury record.
According to Transfermarkt, the 23-year-old picked up six injuries in his debut campaign, missing over 20 games as a direct result. He has also just returned from a setback sustained during the Asia tour. In addition, it will be difficult to displace Lewis-Skelly, especially if Arteta reverts to a single pivot in midfield.
Well, I will leave it there, but what do you think, Gooners – should Riccardo Calafiori start the campaign as first choice? Who should we see in the starting XI on Sunday?
Benjamin Kenneth
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Ric has to start, cannot leave the LB to the error prone Skelly, need a solid start against a traditional rival. Mikel needs to plan training schedules to prevent his injuries. If not, there is time to transfer him and hire a reliable LB. Priority signing over Eze
Agreed. Start Calafiori, sub MLS later on.
@author it’s an easy decision.
We have a player who’s a defender signed to play left side of defense and another shoe-honed in there for his inverting abilities.
Against a counter attacking team like United, make a choice?
Arsenal should start the game cautiously because of the Old Trafford’s atmosphere, so a double-pivot formation with Calafiori as the overlapping LB would be necessary
This is to protect our half-spaces better, that looked open against Villarreal
The other EPL managers might find a solution for that tactic after a few games, so Lewis-Skelly should be ready to replace Calafiori when it happens
You are on point @Gai👌
I hope Arteta understands that you have to win dirty at time without playing with flair.A leaf from Morhinho tactics.
Matches at Old Trafford always tough because of long time rivalry between AWenger and AFerguson.
Cauteous play is needed to win the game. ManU wouldn’t want to lose first game at home . Imo Calafiori & Timber should start. Timber is quicker than white.
Left back. You know my thoughts? Add it as a string to Kai Havertz bow – to do the White thing on the left wing. If Kai works on the defensive side of the left back game, he already comes with the pace, Ariel ability, and strength to be the best left back at the club – why stop there – in the world in fact. Tackling with his physicality would put Mo Salah into row Z never to be seen again.
As Article says Big Leftback Decision. Pick a big leftback then.
Yes Calafiori should start, he’s a big left back and in fact a centre half. Let’s not forget whilst we have Gyökeres, they have 6’-5” Sesko so we need all the taller defenders and defensive mids we’ve got !
I think MLS is a terrific player but he is not a traditional fullback and it shows. That said, neither Ben White nor Calafiori fit the mould of what most of us would consider a traditional fullback either but they are certainly closer to that archetype. They each provide a fantastic balance between defensive solidity and attacking flair and the team looks better with them in it. There’s definitely a place for Timber and MLS as they are quite rightly first choice quality in their own right, so hopefully Arteta will be able to utilise all of them sufficiently well against the right opponents.
I propose using Timber as the LB and White as the RB. To me, Timber is the best match up in trying to stop Mbeumo.
Agree with you Ben. Calafiori on the Left and White on the right. 👍
If Calafiori gets injured, then I would like to see Timber get a run of games at left back.
Not to take anything away from MLS as I think he has done a very good job when called upon, and is a great alternative option.
MLS is still a work in progress and Calafiori can be turned by pace. I would put Timber at left back for this game.
👍JBG5
Timber should pray left back, in the match again Manchester United, before califori and MLS
Timber has only just got a few minutes under his belt so it’s Calafiori for me as he started last Saturday. I expect that starting team to start at Man U otherwise what was the point?
Saka started at LB and I think that was to give him a good knowledge of tracking back and defending so once as an attacker he does that.. hoping she got MLS and he know has a go in midfield as Plan B or against the weaker teams who don’t have a great RW
Of course it depends on how ready Timber is for the grind but if Califiori plays, I fear Mbeumo will take him to school and back. If Martinelli plays , he might be able to help control his dynamism. Hopefully whatever MA decides will work out.
For me all this talk of who to use at left back is a concern. While there are differing opinions on who should get the job, on reading all the posts.
I’ve seen 4 names put forward, Calafiori injury record a concern and pace at left back concerns me. And better suited to Centre Back in my opinion.
Lewis Skelly, not a natural left back, and understandably naïve at times in this position.
Then the curve ball of Havertz one poster put. I hope they weren’t being serious.
And then there’s Timber, probably out of all the names mentioned the one I would go for. Although I think he’s best a right back.
But for me overall, I just wish Arsenal would just go out and buy an actual left back, I know it’s radical and out there, but to me it’s just common sense. The other 4 mentioned players are square pegs in round holes.
If we had an actual left back, we wouldn’t have to have all this speculation as to who’s playing at left back. 🤷♂️
“Then the curve ball of Havertz one poster put. I hope they weren’t being serious.”
Yes. Always serious in my top drawer football analysis.
You know Havertz played left back for Germany, and got man of the match? Left Back in an out of possession 4-2-3-1 – Kai has everything in terms of size, speed, quality, and a sense of responsibility to play such a role. When in possession he’s naturally joining offensive play, who’s picking left back up? That’s why it didn’t take him long to score.
How often had Lewis played left back before MA put him there? Havertz signed by Arteta to play 8 – that’s actually Lewis position – so central midfielder Lewis is accepted as left back, why not the player signed to play 8 or left midfield? Serious question – as a RW, how are you getting passed him? With more Physical strength than Kai? Nope? With more Speed or quicker reactions? Nope.
Now what makes you so sure with a little coaching and practice Kai’s not the best left back at the club, or in world football?
Moon Girl,
Where do you get this idea of Havertz being quick. Have we been watching the same player, Havertz may have some good attributes, but speed isn’t one of them as far as I can see.
And just to mention your comments regards: Yes. Always serious in my top drawer football analysis. Surely that’s for others to decide, I do believe.
“ Where do you get this idea of Havertz being quick. Have we been watching the same player,”
To start with, last Saturdays goal. Bursting through, passed and outpacing both defenders didn’t he?
Moon Girl,
Was he fast or were they slow.
Kai’s top recorded speed is slower than Calafiori’s though.
We also have Rice defending the inside left channel who is closer than both of them to Mbeumo’s pace.
It’s always a possibility to play Kai there, but a very, very long shot IMO.
Bergkampfwagen,
If that’s true, Havertz is even slower than I originally thought. 😂👍
No, thanks, B.B. Timber on the left and White on the right? So we are playing for a 0 – 0 draw. This opener is our best chance to beat Maure. They are only going to get stronger and keep reinforcing as the season progresses. Is important psychology and ladder wise to grab the the three points.
With a lack of European commitments this season I would also predict that MU will be a strong club doing nothing but getting relatively stronger as the season wears on. They could even pull a Chelsea from about 10 seasons ago but I don’t think they have the defense to go there.
No, we are not playing for a 0 – 0 draw. I’m well aware that the right side is where Timber is at his best; however, we’ll have the best chance of blunting the most dangerous MU attacking firepower against our defense, Mbeumo, at bay and grabbing those three points in this game by playing Timber on the left. Whatever MA decides I hope it is effective.
If the Cauliflower starts, he will probably only last for the first half, so Lewis-Skelly will probably play the second half anyway.