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‘Rather see that than Xhaka’: Martin Keown offers Arsenal a ‘radical’ solution for their left-back problem
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has offered Mikel Arteta some advice about who should start at left-back this afternoon against Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Gunners confirmed at the start of this week that Kieran Tierney has suffered a serious knee injury, which required him to undergo surgery. He will be out for the rest of the season as a result, which leaves a big hole in the side.
Nuno Tavares is Arsenal’s natural alternative at left full-back, but the young Portuguese defender’s confidence has been shattered after getting hauled off after 35 and 45 minutes respectively in each of his last two starts.
Granit Xhaka is the other option for Arsenal, but Keown believes Arteta should go with Bukayo Saka instead.
Martin Keown: Bukayo Saka should start at left-back for Arsenal today
Speaking about Arsenal’s problems at left-back, Keown said on : “We’ve got to find Arsenal a solution to the left-back problem, I’d like to see Saka go to left-back.
“I know that’s radical, but I’d rather see that than Xhaka there, who is going to get exposed, if you’re creating such a weakness in the team, then you’ve got to fill it.
“I think Saka could go to left-back and still do damage from the left, [Nicolas] Pepe back onto the right-hand side, [Gabriel] Martinelli on the left.
“It’s about the best eleven, but if you’ve got an issue with a player to such an extent that everything’s going down that side and mistakes are being made and you don’t believe in the player, then you can’t play him.”
TBR View:
Picking a left-back will be a really difficult decision for Mikel Arteta this afternoon. Tavares has no confidence while Xhaka is needed in the middle of the park due to Thomas Partey’s absence.
That opens the door for Saka to come in and he has done really well in the past at left-back.
However, the young Englishman has been absolutely outstanding for Arsenal in attack. He has arguably been their best player and is definitely the Gunners’ biggest goal threat.
Taking him out of that position could really create an imbalance in Arsenal’s side, which simply cannot happen if they want stay in the race to finish in one of the Champions League places at the end of this season.
