Arsenal: Kieran Gibbs injury opens up high octane solution

Arsenal need to figure something out on the defensive side, as players are dropping like flies. With Kieran Gibbs a question mark, here is one possible solution.

Arsenal’s list of injured defenders is growing by the minute. With a back three that is already composed of just two center backs and a left back due to suspensions and injuries, the actual position of left back is now in jeopardy.

As you will discover later today, I am less than enthused by the idea that Kieran Gibbs may miss out on such a crucial match due to a sore thigh. The Englishman has not returned to training this week, which might just mean extended rest, but even that is a concern. This is a big game. And, sorry Kieran, but a sore thigh should not keep you out of a match of this caliber.

There simply are not any options, barring any youth call-ups which, at this point, would be foolish and detrimental to the club’s hopes.

The only option I see, which I am not entirely sold on, is a high octane solution that has a very high risk, high reward factor.

As it stands, the Gunners are down their one starting left wing back, but they will be welcoming back from injury their second right wing back. And both of them, Hector Bellerin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, have been stunning in the role, on both sides of the ball.

You see where I’m going with this?

More from Pain in the Arsenal

If we leave Bellerin in on the right hand side to deal with Eden Hazard, we can then give Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain his first ever start at left wing back. It sounds crazy, but it just might work. It would limit the Ox’s ability to cross, it may even thoroughly negate it, but it would open up his ability to cut inside and fire off shots with his dominant foot.

And, the biggest perk of all, is that two of the most well-conditioned athletes on the pitch would be opposite each other and running Chelsea ragged. Or at least that is the idea.

Chelsea will be countering with their usual wing backs of Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso, both of whom have been solid in their pursuits. But from an athleticism standpoint, Both of Arsenal’s options would top their opposite number on their shared flank.

That is an advantage worth exploring, even with the newness of the positions.

The risk here is obviously huge. It may lead to the back three, which is already a bit battered, being a bit exposed as the sole defenders on the pitch. The counter to that is the blinding athleticism of our wing backs, but even with that, they can’t be everywhere.

Next: 5 Reasons The 3-4-3 Is Actually Working

Hopefully Gibbs can just play and erase the fears.

Home/Arsenal News