Arsenal are at risk of not having a recognized left back available in the coming weeks, which could result in Kieran Tierney returning sooner than expected.
Oleksander Zinchenko may be sidelined for a while with a calf injury, though it is unclear how long he will be away. Takehiro Tomiyasu is to join the Japan national squad for the Asian Games.
Most Gunners fans don’t think Kiwior should play left back because he hasn’t been impressive in his five appearances there thus far this season.
Mikel Arteta might need to consider his options. I believe the Spaniard may be persuaded to recall Kieran Tierney from his loan spell at Real Sociedad sooner rather than later, as buying a left-back may not be part of his January plan. The Scotland international has had a difficult time at Sociedad with injuries as he suffered a hamstring injury just as he was establishing himself. But he returned at the beginning of December and has played in all 6 games since and Sociedad have not lost one of them.
Though Zinchenko had ousted him at Arsenal’s left back, Tierney at left back had previously worked and may do so again. Tierney isn’t a bad player at all and if Arteta can simply use a tactical move that suits his strengths, he may still offer Arsenal something.
Who knows, he could even reignite Gabriel Martinelli’s spark on Arsenal’s left wing. The inverted full-back role hasn’t worked without Granit Xhaka, so it might be time for Tierney to return and reinstate the high-flying full-back role, as his pace and Martinelli’s speed could revitalise Arsenal’s left wing play.
Daniel O
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MA has made it very clear he doesn’t rate KT and I’m sure Tierney won’t give his all after being pushed out(can’t blame him), so I can’t see him coming back.
Without much to spend, Arteta should recall Tierney to take some pressure off Martinelli and Zinchenko, but I doubt he will do that. Chances are, our left side will continue to suffer.
Alternatively, Arteta has to find a left CM who can support Martinelli better and cover for Zinchenko. Havertz is not that guy. He’s quite similar to Nketiah. All fine when he scores, but when he doesn’t, it’s glaring how little he adds to our attacking game. We can’t have that for a midfielder
He’s the best left back at the club. Zinchenko can’t defend at all, we are lucky to not get exploited every time he plays. KT puts in a captain’s performance every time he plays, it’s sad to see what has been done to him. He is better off never coming back to Arsenal.
I’m of the opinion he needs to be recalled and will be recalled. Having said that, I do not agree that Kiwior hasn’t been impressive at left back at all, perhaps not in his last outing (as he seemed to have been asked to play inverted rather than conventional) but most on here were very happy with him in previous games. But yes, get Tesco back!
Kieran Tierney should never have been loaned out in the first place he is by far the best defender Arsenal have
Not sure if he’s the best defender we have, but loaning him out was a bad move
Is there any other Kieran Tierney because the one I know have been out injured for most part this season so far
As mentioned in the article he has recovered and has appeared in the last 6 games.
No. He’ll get himself injured within the month and he’s not as good as many seem to believe anyway.
I don’t think we’re having a left back “crisis” – zinchenko is not doing well atm and kiwior is limited in that role; not ideal, but not a crisis. I’d describe our midfield options as more of a crisis – we’ve got ONE reliable option for centre midfield.
For Davi
We could recall Norton-Cuffy for the RB role as I rate him higher than Ben White. This can then push White into midfield giving us a double pivot if necessary.
As for the LB position, I agree that he will probably get injured. I think we need to change formation to a 3-5-2.
GK: Ramsdale Ist choice. Raya 2nd choice.
3: Saliba + Gabriel + either Tomiyasu or Kiwior.
5: Zinchenko/Sousa, Jesus/Trossard, Rice/Partey, Odegaard/ESR, White/Norton-Cuffy.
2: Saka/Nketiah and Martinelli/Havertz.
Proper rotation as you can see we have 2 for each position except CB.
Interesting ideas and IGL. I haven’t seen much of Norton Cuffy recently, but i would like to see more of players like him, Lino Souza and the other young defender, who’s name escapes me. From time to time, we should be giving these players and others first team opportunities so we can properly assess whether they can make it in our first team.
According to the MAKBs, MA knows the youngsters better than us. He didn’t play them in an inconsequential game against PSV, not even a substitute appearance, because they are not ready. If they are not ready for an inconsequential game, we might as well forget about them
But he’ll play some of them in friendlies – what’s the difference? Is not one of them ready to play in one meaningless game?
Sorry, didn’t pick up your sarcasm initially
No apology needed mate. I’m with you in giving youngsters first team opportunities so that as they develop they can help us with rotation and rest key players. That’s one thing we have always been proud of at Arsenal and is a shame to see it stop at MA
I do agree with you there – sad to see so few even get a chance. Just giving one of two a game here and there gives the impression we’re looking forwards, which is a good thing for the atmosphere at the club imo
Norton-Cuffy has had a few loan spells and was good in Coventry and his current club. Sousa is training with the Ist team squad. Maybe Reuell Walters is the other name you were looking for.
Sometimes, you just have to take a chance on them like SAF and AW did.
Right now Mainoo @ Man Utd is the best MF player on the pitch for them and he had no previous experience.
The key is rotation. Even a 20 min cameo pays real dividends.
I agree – good points. I’m actually a bit jealous of them having mainoo – he’s a player we could really use just now. And you were right, it was Walters I was thinking of.
We don’t play with an overlapping LB anymore and we’ve got Zinchenko/ Kiwior for the inverted LB role
Tomiyasu could return in less than one month and Timber might fully recover next month. If necessary, Havertz or Saka could play the fullback role
We should only recall Tierney if we sign a towering target man to receive Tierney’s long crosses from the byline
If I were Arteta, I’d prefer to play with an overlapping RB to whip long crosses from the right byline to Havertz’s and our new target man’s heads
@gai, I don’t think Arteta would recall Thieney he doesn’t rate him that much with all Zinny defensive weakness he prefers him. As for CF it doesn’t seem Arsenal is active in the market. If we don’t , let’s hope Arteta has a card to play that he is holding to his chest. No doubt he will be responsible for his decisions at the end of the season. I”ll keep my fingers crossed. All I expect is a Top4 and probably a good run in UCL
Arteta could still revert to the overlapping LB tactics and recall Tierney in January, because Arteta is a bit unpredictable
Zinchenko is absolutely terrible
I fully understand that you’ll disagree but you should watch the games
Yes. Zinchenko is a middlefielderand not a defender
He’s too injury prone. Let him remain where he is please; he could do well there and fetch Arsenal some money in the summer.
For now Zinchenko and Kiwior can hold fort until the return of Tomiyasu and Timber.
My worry is even more on the RB position. If anything happens to Ben White, we have only the match-rusty and unreliable Cedric to call on.
But I’m sure we’d get back somehow. We just need to get our players playing to the levels we have seen them do before. Too many of our key players are just not hitting form.
When you play Tieney it means you have to change the whole system, have havertz as a 9 to receive the towering crosses, restrict Ben White from overlapping to maintain a back 3, which unfortunately will affect saka and M.O, perhaps use ESR on the left wing so that he can cut inside during Tieneys runs, and ball-players like Jesus and Odegaard will go missing the Ozil way. For me its a big No!!! …. I think Kiwior needs a good run of games but he is very calm and precise and is somehow familiar with inverting since he used to play DM at times. its all about game management and change in tactics during the game
Unlikely return with Tierney. Arteta doesn’t unfreeze players he turns away from, and is surprisingly slow when admitting mistakes, if he does at all.
I doubt he will change his inverted fullback approach, and doubt he will change his overall approach.
Instead, a slower even more deliberate buildup, and even more micro management to try and resolve the issue.
We are back to the static positioning and sideways passing that plagued us for the first couple years of Arteta’s tenure.
I don’t think new additions will bring much change if the manager refuses to change his tactics. Our play is a shadow of what we saw last year.
Rather than add to an exciting attack, he attempted to reinvent the wheel in the Summer and can’t overcome his stubbornness.
Spot on Durand.
Is it even an option?? The assumption here is that the loan agreement includes a mid season return clause.
Arteta doesn’t rate Tierney.
Saka is an amazing left back 😂
Any sensible minded fan would say, “Yes, of COURSE we SHOULD recall Tierney” and I would also agree.
But will we do so?
Not a hope, in my opinion. Sigh!
Mr. Fox, finally you agree that Arteta is not a sensible mind as you have hinted that a sensible mind would recall KT, but have no hope as it is the manager’s prerogative to recall players.
And we do have Tavares on loan too. Another poor signing.
Poor signings outdo the only good signing of Declan Rice and poor decisions have ruined players’ careers and club’s finances.
Out of my club Arteta. Now!
In the first place, I never understood why Arteta allowed Tierney to leave. He is a better defender than Zinchenko and Zinchenko is a better midfielder, so the 2 can play together.
there is zero chance of Arteta recalling KT to our first team squad, KT doesn’t fit our system and Arteta clearly doesn’t trust him
Arteta is no one to compromise the system drilled all season to accommodate anyone, and particularly not KT
agree though that we need strengthening in the LB position
for the next game, Liverpool at home in the FA Cup, I would deploy Tomy at LB over Zinc, fitness allowing
disappointed Kiwior was unable to cease his opportunity against Fulham, hooked at half time does not look good for long term