Arsenal have unearthed the answer to a right-back crisis they hope never comes

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gave some much-deserved praise to rising star Theo Julienne after the player made his first start for the club as a right-back in the Gunners' penalty shootout win over Como on Wednesday.

Despite Julienne's inconsistency at points, he showed he can have a really strong game at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta was asked about his performance as well as the other youngsters' performances, and he said pretty much what you would expect Arteta to say about a player like Julienne, who's, despite his age, obviously talented.

He said: "He was really good. It was a big test, boys at that age as well, to play against a really good opponent - especially when you put Marli together with Theo, together with Ethan [Nwaneri], together with Max [Dowman] in the same side. But I think with that level of difficulty, they still performed."

Theo Julienne's talent is quite obvious, and Arsenal should give him a couple of opportunities in the season

The youngster made a mistake in the build-up to Como's goal, but he played the game very well apart from that.

Julienne looked strong with the ball. His dribbling was very good, and he didn't look out of place, which is the most important thing. He seemed like a player who had grown up playing the same system of football that he played on Wednesday night.

And although it wasn't the best performance in the world, it showed that Arsenal still have an option if at one point they need a new right-back.

They are trying to sign Ezri Konsa, who has shown that he can play as a right-back if needed. They also have Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera, both of whom can play that position.

But if the stars align for Julienne, and Jurrien Timber is still injured, White is suspended, and Mosquera has to play as a centre-back, Julienne can do a pretty good job.

He wasn't as impressive as Marli Salmon was in the friendlies that he played, but it did seem like the talent is there, and that there is a lot more in the locker than whatever was on display.

But the only way to find out is to give him a shot, and hopefully Arteta, if the time ever comes, doesn't resort to playing Declan Rice at right-back against a lowly team. If there is a chance for Julienne to start a match, he definitely should be allowed to.

Add us as a preferred source on Google