Injuries have hit Arsenal at the worst possible time. Specifically in defence where Takehiro Tomiyasu has been ruled out of the rest of the season and William Saliba has missed the last four games in a row.
Both limped off as the Gunners exited the Europa League at the round of 16 stage at the hands of Sporting CP last month and their absences have not only resulted in Rob Holding being thrust into action alongside Gabriel Magalhaes but it's left Mikel Arteta with very little room to manoeuvre.
Had Tomiyasu been fit during Saliba's absence, the Arsenal manager would have had the option of using the Japan international as a centre-back or keeping him at right-back and thus moving Benjamin White inside to reunite last season's go-to central defensive partnership.
