Arsenal came out 3-0 winners against FK Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday evening. First-half strikes from Eddie Nketiah and Rob Holding gave the north London side the advantage before Fabio Vieira's late goal secured all three points for the Gunners.
It was in this game that Mikel Arteta gave a team selection hint ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool on Sunday. This was highlighted with his decision to adopt Takehiro Tomiyasu into a new role for the last 15 minutes of the Europa League tie.
Kieran Tierney started the game at left-back but was subbed off in the 75th minute despite Arsenal not having another recognised left-back on the bench, highlighting that he may have a part to play in Sunday’s fixture against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
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Tomiyasu has not featured at left-back since joining Arsenal in the 2021 summer transfer window, so the fact that Arteta decided to move him into this position, even with the north London side underperforming in the second half signified the importance to have Tierney available against Liverpool.
Despite Oleksandr Zinchenko starting at left-back in Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Spurs, he was absent for the Gunners' training session on Wednesday afternoon. However, football.london understands that his absence was taken as a precautionary measure, rather than any serious injury.
Zinchenko had featured in every Premier League match for the Gunners since making the transfer switch from Manchester City until he was ruled out with an injury against Fulham in Arsenal's fourth game of the season. football.london's Arsenal reporter Kaya Kaynak reported that Zinchenko had suffered a slight sprain to his left knee.
But with Zinchenko also being left out of the squad for Arsenal’s Europa League tie against Bodo/Glimt, it could also mean that he is doubt for the next Premier League fixture against Liverpool. With Tierney being the alternative left-back option, he would be the player to start at full-back if Zinchenko is unavailable.
It would have been up for debate regardless if both players were fit, as Tierney is considered a more reliable option when it comes to playing against teams who are dangerous from the wide areas. Liverpool are arguably the most threatening team in this position, with former Premier League top goal scorer Mohamed Salah dominating the right-hand side.
The threat doubles for the Reds when Trent Alexander-Arnold overlaps Salah. The Englishman has recorded 45 assists from the right-back position since making his Premier League debut in 2017, which no other full-back has achieved in this time.
Arteta’s decision to utilise Tomiyasu in a new role is a major hint that Tierney will start against Liverpool on Sunday to give the Gunners the best chance of nullifying Klopp’s attacking threat.
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