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Mikel Arteta is playing one Arsenal player in the wrong position and it was so obvious in 3-1 win over Brentford

Lucas Arnold

Thu 2 January 2025 8:35, UK

Despite those that were missing against Brentford, Arsenal rallied superbly to win 3-1 at a ground where very few have had success this season.

The days of Ivan Toney enjoying himself against Arsenal at the Gtech Community Stadium are well and truly over, and Mikel Arteta’s side have come a long wa💫y in the last two or three years.

Of course, what was particularly pleasing about the comeback against Br💞entford was Arsenal’s demonstration of th💙eir strength in depth.

Kai Havertz’s absence at a time when the Gunners were also without Bukayo Saka and Rah🌌eem Sterling up top should have been a big issue, however, Gabriel Jes✨us led the line superbly.

And those who came in, the liღkes of Ethan N𝔉waneri and Mikel Merino, also contributed a lot to an important win, the kind of game Arsenal couldn’t afford to drop any points in.

Riccardo Calafiori struggled to replace Myles Lewis-Skelly vs Brentford

That being said, there were still one or two things for Arteta to ponder after the performance, including Riccardo Calafiori’s display.

With Myles Lewis-Skelly perhaps neediꦫng a rest and Calafiori deemed ready for minutes, Arteta made the switch.

READ MORE: Arsenal considering loan move for Premier League striker considered the nextꦬ Alan Shearer

And in a surprise t✅urn of events, the Italian actually appeared as a clear downgrade on Lewis-Skelly, who has already come so fꦚar at left-back.

When he plays at left-back, Calafiori improves Gabriel Martinelli ahead of him, a partnership that works so well.

But after anoꦛther cumbersome, if not problematic performance against Brentford, it’s becoming clearer that the Italy international is playing out of position.

For Bologna last season, only six of Calafiori’♒s 37 appearances cꦍame at left-back.

However, in n๊orth London, Calafiori has only played centrally once from ℱthe start, and that was against Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup.

Mikel Arteta repeating Kai Havertz mistake with Riccardo Calafiori

It’s important to note that Calafiori doesn’t deserve any criticism at this stage, he’s learning a new position whilst also managing h💦is fitneꦍss and adapting to the Premier League.

But perhaps recognising Calafiori as a defender often playing out of position, helps explain why Arsenal fans are y♊et to consistently see the b🅷est of their big-money signing.

Of course, were Gabriel Magalhaes ever to miss a run of games, Calafiori would 🌊be absolutely cruc♚ial were he fit.

There’s no question that the Italian is a huge upgrade on Jakub Kiwior, who only plays mꦚinutes out of necessity at this point.

Kiwior could leave Arsenal this month, although the c൲lub have set a hefty asking price for any interested ꧙sides.

Calafiori should eventually reach his best levels at Arsenal, but it remains to be seen whether that will be as 🎶an inverted left-back, despite Arteta’s best attempts.

The Arsenal manager previously abandoned his 𝕴plans to change Havertz’s position to good effect, and he may do so again with Calafiori.