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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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 03: Gabriel of Arsenal tackles Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

No Gabriel

There is this option, too. And if it is a route Arteta is willing to take then he has a range of other alternatives to choose from.

Chambers could be reunited with Mari in that area as they were in the Europa League group stages (once), which would present him with two central defenders who are comfortable in possession and better than Holding in build-up play from the back.

Should Arteta opt to leave Gabriel out, then the likely partnership would be Mari and Holding. The pair started three fixtures together from Boxing Day onwards, recording victories over Chelsea, Brighton and West Brom in that period. Injury ruled Mari out for five Premier League outings since, but those three fixtures were vital this season and set the foundations for the mini revival.

In terms of suitability, the two together complement each other better than Holding and Gabriel as Mari adds calmness on the ball in the progressive phases and Holding is more likely to sit off and provide an option.

There were signs of a partnership forming – albeit one still not good enough for this football club and instead a case of making the best out of the cards you’ve dealt yourself – one which may encourage Arteta to dabble further.

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