Next season, Arsenal will boast one of the most excellent defences in Europe. The availability of defenders who can play in various spots along the defensive line and even in midfield gives Arteta the ideal leverage to compete for the league title. Looking at Arteta’s transfer plan, it’s clear that he’s been looking for players who can play wherever in defence to provide him with options and depth when injuries occur. So here are some Arsenal defenders that can play in various spots on the pitch.
1. Oleksandr Zinchenko
The former Manchester City star was initially a midfielder. Guardiola experimented with him at left-back, and it worked. As a result, Arteta used him as a left-back after signing him last summer. Still, his ability to play from midfield saw the Ukrainian drifting in a central midfield position while the team attacked. He is a versatile player, and his ability to drift into midfield was essential to Arsenal’s play last season.
2. Takehiro Tomiyasu
The former Bologna star has been signed to play right back. He can, however, play on the other side of the defence as a left-back or even a central defender. He played as a left-back in Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Liverpool on October 9, 2022. Despite being a natural right-back, he kept Mohamed Salah quiet throughout the game, earning appreciation from supporters.
3. Ben White
In his debut (2021–22) season, the former Brighton man developed a great relationship in the Arsenal defence with Gabriel Magalhaes. William Saliba’s return in the 2022–23 season prompted Arteta to contemplate using him as a right-back, a position in which he thrived. Notably, with Timber’s arrival, there is speculation that he could be tested at midfield.
4. Jurrien Timber
The summer arrival could not only play at centre back but also at right back. All talk is that he will take over the right-back position, but who knows? At times, he may get a shot at the central defence.
The possibility of many Arsenal defenders playing in different positions is a significant asset to Arteta’s project. It could be critical to the Gunners’ wish to become the real deal in Europe.
Sam P
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Not yet.
These players have to first prove it on the pitch before we can start talking about how versatile abd brilliant they are.
Let them show it first.
👍
Yes. Here are the positions that the other defensive players have played in their careers:
– Elneny: CB and DM
– Kiwior: CB, DM and LB
– Rice: CB and DM
If Zinchenko plays at LB we will always be vulnerable despite the excellent addition of Timber who can also play as a DM.As a famous Liverpool Manager once said a team is only as good as it’s weakest link.
Absolutely Grandad and we have a top LB who knows how to defend.
I think Zinchenko will be moved up to Xhaka’s position and White will play inverted-RB instead. I could be wrong though
Liquor was experimented in our last friendly at left back I think he did very well. I would personally prefer Kiwior there since he has played as a DM before. Watch the match again he played the inverted role almost like zichenko. Although I prefer Zichenko improving his defensive skills he was undropable last season.
Gai,I am still worried about GJesus goal return and Havertz wouldn’t be an upgrade. Too bad Chelsea wants to sign DVlahovic. Our CF might be our weakest link against low blocks opposition next season. Haven’t is tall but not a natural CF and GJesus somehow diminutive.
Romano said Chelsea haven’t approached Vlahovic yet, but PSG have been talking to his entourage
The first time seeing this idea but I second it.
Totally agree about Zinchenko. We all know is strengths but he is not a LB when it comes to defending.
It is uncertain how many on here are aware of Zinchenko’s strengths; given the way some continue to harp on about weaknesses.
His presence in the team was essential to Arsenal’s setup last season. His ability contributed majorly to making us a very effective team for most of the season.
It’s official – The Arsenal have signed Declan Rice – on the website!!!!!!!!!!! /
Welcome Timber, welcome Declan… up we go ARSENAL….. at last
Sell Tomiyasu, buy Tchouameni! Then AFC is ready.
Where is the correlation between signing Tchoumani and selling Tomiyasu?
On paper this is arguably the best set of defenders we have had in the Emirates era provided that includes keeping Tierney which we will hopefully be the foundation to go on to win the big ears.
White Timber
Saliba Tomiyasu
Gabriel Kiwior
Zinchenko Tierney
How has Ben whites place in the first 11 become uncertain. Like most fans the Kai purchase is the head scratcher as I still can’t see why we need him( I can’t wait to be wrong). We now have the squad depth for sure, just seems even with rotation some very good players will be getting few minutes. Glad I’m not MA, squad balance and morale have just gotten a little tricker to maintain
This is probably the most versatile set of quality defenders we have had for some time. As a group they should also be amongst the best in the PL assuming we don’t sell any.
Given the apparent quality of centre backs available to Arteta, he may decide to replicate the tactics of his mentor and go with a back three set up which would obviate the need to play Zinchenko at full back.The Ukranian is a highly skilful central midfielder where he plays for his Country ,but in the semi defensive role allocated to him by Arteta he is a weak link which opposition have targeted, and will continue to do so.David, I may well be one of the ones you mention who harp on about his weaknesses ,but I also acknowledge the important role he played in enabling us to control the midfield area for the greater part of last season.Arteta has a dilemma with Zinchenko who is proving to be as injury prone as Tierney,or so it seems, and I cannot see him buying the excellent Timber, who is a shoe in for the Dutch national team, and leaving him on the bench.Interesting times ahead in terms of selection David.
I think Grandad it is what he will do. Pep did it.
These new signings have made it hard to predict Arsenal’s first XI for the upcoming season. Havertz is still an unsolved puzzle, I really don’t know why the gaffer acquired him and where he would fit in the grand scheme of things. You don’t sign a player for £65m and put him on the bench. Thus if Havertz makes it to the first XI, which player will he displace? I’ll try to trust the process.
With Zinchenko as left back, other teams will continue to target and use the left side of our defence to score many goals just as they did last year.
He is more a liability than an asset. Just better to play him in midfield.
The best defences remain Newcastle followed by City, Chelsea and then Arsenal is 5th.
But our defence can function better if we play Partey and Rice in midfield
A lot fans misconstrued the role of Zinchenko. Arsenal won almost all their matches with the Ukrainian inverting, thus superior in midfield and total domination of the pitch. We control and weary the opponents out with this style. Only Zinchenko can invert and support the attack centrally. Now we have Timber on the right who can do the same. Zinchenko more attacking and technical and Timber is more defensive and physical thus the no6 and no8 roles will rotated accordingly. Come on guys, by now, we should know Arteta sets their team as a collective unit, not as individuals.