Arsenal: Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin are waiting in the wings

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal applauds after the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Arsenal FC at St Mary's Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal applauds after the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Arsenal FC at St Mary's Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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After four Premier League matches, Arsenal’s defense looks to Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin in late September; What their play would mean for Arsenal.

The North London derby has more silver linings than simply the draw itself. Two mistakes cost Arsenal the two goals they ultimately drew with while the defense played a relatively good match otherwise. The prospect of Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin debuting and returning at September’s end is truly mouthwatering.

Sokratis and David Luis manned the middle well and provided a firm, bullying presence for most of the game. The gaffs by Leno and Xhaka  can also certainly fall on Arsneal’s defense, whom can take more “responsibility” as David Luiz said himself in each games unfolding.

He is right to be stern with his new teammates, and they are sure to know that it comes from a place of passion and concern for the clubs future. With Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin  rebutting and returning by the months conclusion, the defense will gain a boost to an already improved campaign so far.

The athleticism of both Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin is the first proponent that jumps off the page upon thinking of their return. Their pace, crossing ability and defensive acumen will prove a necessary boost to the experience and aggression shared by Sokratis and a David Luiz. As Emery demands offensive duties from his left and right backs, he will get two of the best young fullbacks in England to aid in pushing the ball to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pépé. Few gifts can be as precious to a club on the rise than this boost into the clubs weakest quality.

If Arsenal play a 3-4-3 Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin will sandwich any of the centreback options from Rob Holding when he returns, to the aforementioned David Luiz and Sokratis or even Calum Chambers. Arsenal can then use Sead Kolasinac and Ainsley Maitland-Niles in more advanced positions in midfield, causing three truly terrifying layers of attacking pressure.

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In a 4-3-3, Sead Kolasinac can stay on the left with Kieran Tierney capable of playing centrally alongside David Luiz or Sokratis. The pace and versatility that Tierney and Hector Bellerin supply the Gunners is absolutely remarkable and worthwhile for Unai Emery to experiment with.

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Unai Emery has been lambasted and celebrated in sometimes unequal quantities over his lineup changes, shape changes and unconventional partnerships. He demands versatility in his side with many of his players capable of playing multiple positions on the pitch at any time. This quality can be exploited with the return of two young, brisk and highly talented defenders.

Playing out from the back is a further style of which Emery embraces as boss in North London. Adding Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin to aid in protecting Bernd Leno from opposition opportunities will additionally help the fluidity of Arsenal from back to front. Few things disintegrate nonstop pressure like the threat of a quick counterattack, often inspired by outlet passes from the backline to sprinting attackers.

The revelation that Arsenal’s defense is about to get this kind of boost is hard to understate. To think of the circumstance at back last year is a tragic recollection. The heart of players like Laurent Koscileny, Nacho Monreal and sparingly, Stephan Lichtsteiner could not overcome the raw pace and passion of youth in the Premier League in today’s day. Moving onto other clubs was fortunate for all parties involved and no hard feelings should be held towards any of them.

As for Shkodran Mustafi, his fate will be outside of Arsenal. He will be moved in the winter transfer window to a team whose injury situation is so desperate that they will inquire on his availability. His time in North London has been unfortunate but he simply doesn’t fit the teams vision moving forward. His success if plausible will occur in another league and will surely draw Gooner support should he find himself in such a position; Arsenal fans tend to remember from my experience.

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Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin can’t come fast enough for Arsenal, but not for the presumably obvious reason. The backline is not in tatters despite a rough game against Liverpool and two mistakes against Tottenham. Rather, the team is trending upward and with the addition of two high quality youths can take the further step towards competing with Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League. Adding Tierney and Bellerin is a luxury that Arsenal now find themselves coming into a month into the season; one smiles at what they can bring to such a talented squad as this moving forward.