Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

3 ways Mikel Arteta could solve his mini midfield injury crisis

By James Cormack

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (L) gestures during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Fulham at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 27, 2022. - - 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 Glyn KIRK / 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 GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (L) gestures during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Fulham at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 27, 2022. - - 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 Glyn KIRK / 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 GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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2. Utilise Oleksandr Zinchenko

Oleksandr Zinchenko could return to the matchday squad against Aston Villa. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Oleksandr Zinchenko could return to the matchday squad against Aston Villa. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

Zinchenko’s fitness is huge for Arteta. Once he returns to the fold, he’ll likely play in midfield with Tierney continuing at left-back.

The Ukrainian plays in midfield to a very high standard for the national team and he’s well-suited to the left-sided #8 role in Arteta’s 4-3-3.

That would force Xhaka into the single pivot with Odegaard operating from the right half-space. The Swiss midfielder has rarely performed as a lone #6, and I have doubts as to whether Arteta will utilise him in this role, especially at Old Trafford on Sunday.

May I chuck Ben White’s name into the hat again?

However, if he does trust Xhaka and Zinchenko isn’t yet fit, then Lokonga could get a chance as the left-sided #8. The young Belgian impressed the coaching staff from this position during pre-season.

Continued on the next slide…