Arsenal: 5 solutions to Kieran Tierney left-back problem

2. Granit Xhaka at Left-Back

Mr. Utility back on the radar.

This was the decision Arteta made at half-time, with Nuno coming off and Granit Xhaka moving to left-back which allowed Emile Smith Rowe to slot into his advanced No. 8 position.

Arteta would trust Xhaka with his life and, to his credit, he looked relatively assured in the second half, progressing the ball from deep and acting as a creator down that side.

What this change in personnel does is allow Arsenal to maintain whatever variation of their 3-2-5 shape in build-up and have three defenders who can all get the ball up the pitch into the feet of attacking players or in behind. With Partey out injured Arsenal will lose progression in that area meaning they have to accommodate elsewhere.

Whereas last season it was unfamiliar, this time around there is some greater comfort with Xhaka in that position and having a more fluid attacking base further forward.

But there are concerns, as ever. Firstly, Xhaka’s obvious mobility issues are a target that every team will seek to isolate with wingers getting one-on-one. Without Partey Arsenal will also lose presence in the centre of the pitch. It has its limitations, with the principal benefit being that it puts Martinelli, Smith Rowe and Saka all on the pitch at once.

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