Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has had to be creative this week to find a solution to growing injury concerns at the club with some key players facing the prospect of being sidelined for a number of weeks. Takehiro Tomiyasu had to come off early into the Europa League quarter-final tie against Sporting CP in midweek, sparking plenty of concern over his fitness for the final weeks of the season.
Just moments later, William Saliba went down with a back problem and also had to come off in a huge blow to the Gunners. The youngster has impressed since returning to the club from a loan spell with Olympique Marseille last season, earning a regular spot in the side.
"He [Saliba] took every question mark that we had about him out," Arteta said praising the youngster just a few weeks ago. "He has given all the reasons to play him and I think he has been exceptional since that day. He is naturally really composed and he doesn't get too bothered about opinions or getting nervous in certain situations and that's a big quality of his."
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It shows just how much of a problem the absence of Saliba could be, let alone without the cover of Tomiyasu in the side too. Rob Holding was given the task of taking over from the France international, with Ben White keeping his place at right-back rather than shifting across.
However, Arteta gave a glimpse as to where he could make some switches within the side, due to a new role he gave to midfielder Thomas Partey. After White was substituted, the Ghanaian international moved into right-back, which could allow for the defender to slot in centrally in the future.
It remains to be seen if that is how the manager will opt to line his side up if Saliba is absent for beyond the upcoming international break, but it shows the creativity of Arteta in finding solutions to the challenges ahead.
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