5 Arsenal alternatives to David Luiz in defence against Slavia Prague

Arsenal's English defender Calum Chambers (L) shakes hands with Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta after the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Arsenal at The London Stadium, in east London on March 21, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL CHILDS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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BURNLEY, ENGLAND – MARCH 06: Pablo Mari of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

Pablo Mari – Centre-Back

‘If only one of Gabriel or Pablo Mari were right-footed’ has become a common cry for help.

Those two are the most comfortable in possession of the centre-backs on offer even if they don’t have the passing range that Luiz boasts. What they do have in composure on the ball and threat at set pieces as well as insurance in covering those in their own box.

Down the years there have been countless centre-back partnerships made up of two right footed players. What is different in those instances is that the defenders are more comfortable with either foot, they just have a general preference. Mari and Gabriel are both heavily one-sided players.

When playing out from the back and looking for either Nicolas Pepe or Bukayo Saka on the right, the angles created by not having a natural right footer are weakened, handing the opposition the edge in covering passing lanes.

It can work, of course, but it won’t work. Why? Because Arteta won’t allow it.

He signed Mari for the exact reason why he can Gabriel can’t play together: balance. Two right-footed centre-backs was Arteta’s kryptonite and the fact he was willing to raid Brazil to amend the situation tells as much.

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