Arsenal Vs Sporting: Solving the left-back conundrum

Arsenal travel to Sporting CP on Thursday night in their third Europa League group stage match without Nacho Monreal, Sead Kolasinac and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Unai Emery has a left-back conundrum to solve.

Unai Emery had a problem on Monday night. It was a problem that no Arsenal fan was aware of. But by the time the teamsheet was announced and there were two rather ominous omissions, it was clear that Unai Emery had a problem.

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Neither Nacho Monreal or Sead Kolasinac were present in the matchday squad, both having picked up knocks in training prior to the 3-1 win over Leicester City. On the night, Emery chose to move Stephan Lichtsteiner to the left side to cover for their collective absence. And Emery again will have the same problem to solve.

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As Arsenal travel to Lisbon to face Sporting CP on Thursday night in their third Europa League group stage match, Monreal and Kolasinac have again not travelled as a part of the matchday squad. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who has just returned from a broken fibula, is also not a part of the squad. That leaves with Emery with no recognised left back in the squad for the second match in succession. It’s quite the conundrum to solve.

There is also an added complication in comparison to Monday night. Where against Leicester, it was simply down to Emery to pick the very best team for that very game, the Europa League does not carry the same importance and significance as the Premier League and has been used as an opportunity to rest starting players for league matches. And Arsenal face five top-half teams in their next six matches, including Liverpool, Spurs and Manchester United. Midweek rest is required.

The man who needs rest most pertinently is Hector Bellerin. The Spaniard powered down last season when he played more than 3000 minutes of action with no reserve to take his place and provide him rest. This year, Emery has been able to rotate thanks to the acquisition of Lichtsteiner in the summer. But if Lichtsteiner is to play at left back, then it likely means that Bellerin must play once more on the right side.

It may be more beneficial if Emery can find a way to field Lichtsteiner at right back, rest Bellerin, and try to piece together a solution on the opposite flank. He did precisely that for the final 30 minutes against Leicester, shifting Granit Xhaka into left back. But I would be surprised if we saw that kind of set-up on Thursday night.

A more likely system would be a 3-4-3 with Alex Iwobi playing left wing-back. Iwobi has played in that position before under Arsene Wenger and would have the discipline and athleticism to provide the defensive and offensive cover. And Emery played with three at the back last time out in the Europa League. He could shift to that system again if he wants to provide Bellerin with some rest.

Obviously, all of this could be a meaningless discussion. Emery could just field Bellerin. He’s 23. He’s fit. He’s young. I am sure he can play three or four games over two weeks. But if Emery does feel especially motivated to rest Bellerin, then he will have to get creative. That may or may not be productive.