Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Newcastle United: Predicted starting XI – Lucas Torreira, anyone?

By Andrew Dowdeswell

CARDIFF, WALES - SEPTEMBER 02: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal sits on the bench before the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Arsenal FC at Cardiff City Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
CARDIFF, WALES - SEPTEMBER 02: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal sits on the bench before the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Arsenal FC at Cardiff City Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Nacho Monreal of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal with team mate Hector Bellerin during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on August 25, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Full backs

In a very similar vein to Mustafi and Sokratis at centre-half, Emery is clearly very settled with his full-back options: Nacho Monreal, after returning from an injury suffered in the summer, will start on the left flank, and Hector Bellerin will play on the right, another who has played every minute of the season thus far.

In the modern game, there is an increasing amount asked of full backs. They must be an outlet against high-pressing opponents, they are tasked with providing width in attacking areas, as both did for the first goal against West Ham United, and they must also not push too far up the pitch as to expose the defensive midfielder and centre-halves. It is no easy job.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, as the position has toughened, the limitations of both Monreal and Bellerin have been laid bare. That is not to say that they are bad players, simply that they are average and they do have restrictions. That said, there shouldn’t be many problems here.