“Saliba replacement”: Arteta has 3 options to replace Saliba as Arsenal prepare for West Ham absences
William Saliba and France reached the World Cup final after knocking Morocco out of the tournament despite the Arsenal defender once again remaining on the bench.
The Gunners might not be worried about an injury risk with Saliba not getting onto the field but there are some drawbacks.
With Arsenal playing just eight days after the final, it is very unlikely that Saliba will be available for the game against West Ham United as the Premier League makes its return. So far, the Frenchman has begun every single league game for Arsenal in the role and this will challenge Mikel Arteta to find a solution.
It should not, however, be too difficult with the right centre-back role being a place where Arsenal are filled to the brim with options. football.london looks at three of the potential options that Arteta can pick from.
Ben White
The most obvious choice is to play the man that Arsenal paid £50million for this very job. Ben White has been the player to lose his place in the centre of defence with the integration of Saliba, however, he has absolutely thrived in the right-back role which earned him a call-up to the World Cup.
However, with Saliba out it could be that White reprises his role that he also impressed in last season. It would make sense therefore that, if fit, Takehiro Tomiyasu comes in to right-back or Cedric Soares, who has played in both preseason clashes, starts.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Should Arteta want however for White to remain at right back, the next obvious choice is Takehiro Tomiyasu, who endured a tricky World Cup only in regard to his fitness. Whilst unable to start more than the final game of Japan’s campaign, his performances were solid.
He played on the left of the centre of defence which showed his great versatility having played right back and left back for Arsenal since his arrival from Bologna. There would be no issue at all for Tomiyasu to make his debut in Saliba’s stead and White then could continue his form at right back.
Rob Holding
Should, however, Tomiyasu not be fit or ready after his World Cup efforts, Arteta has the league’s best fourth-choice centre-half, maybe, in Rob Holding. Holding is 27 and the most experienced centre-half at the club.
His style is more traditional and old-school and expecting Holding to dribble out from the back isn’t going to happen but he still defends well and is an asset. Should Tomiyasu not be fit I think this is the most likely option that the manager goes with.
