The run to the title.

[Zidane98]

Jakub Kiwior you refer to. Arteta wants specificity in certain positions and he was signed as a left footed centre half to back up Gabriel. He won’t play on the right side in place of Holding - 2 left footed centre halves on the pitch together is not something Arteta would deploy.

The Saliba absence is very costly. Exacerbated by the loss of Tomiyasu for the season. He’s really the 5th defender overall, can slot into any of the full back positions or as a CB. Losing him and Saliba at the same time is very untimely for Arsenal - leaving Holding as the only viable option really.

Hopefully your medical team can work some magic, even if it means Salbia playing through the game in some discomfort. If Salliba can't get up for the game has Arteta ever played a back 3? Holding seems to unsettle Gabriel quite a bit.

 

[Zidane98]

Don't know how much credence we can give the daily fail but they are reporting that Salbia is prepared to play the City game at risk of further injury aggravation:

William Saliba is ready to take risks to return for Arsenal's run-in

SAMI MOKBEL: William Saliba is ready to put his body on the line to play in Arsenal's title run-in despite concerns of injury complications if he is rushed back.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[moomba]

If Ake is out for a bit that could really hurt us.

In the top 3 for our player of the season imo, and one of two or three positions were really vulnerable in.

Wouldn't want to see too much of Gomez, so we might need to bring Laporte out of Peps doghouse.

 

[glenferry23]

Hopefully your medical team can work some magic, even if it means Salbia playing through the game in some discomfort. If Salliba can't get up for the game has Arteta ever played a back 3? Holding seems to unsettle Gabriel quite a bit.

Yes Arteta deployed a back 3 in the early stages of his tenure, won the FA Cup with that system. He always seemed to always want to acquire the right players and develop the 4-3-3 system. Since then there hasn’t been much sight of a back 3, inverted full backs and ball playing centre halves (ie Saliba) has underpinned Arsenal’s season.

I can’t see him changing system now, even though there’s some logic to it. Especially on the cusp of a week that will essentially define the title race.