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Arsenal's title hopes are in the balance after being winless in their last three Premier League games. They are still top of the league, but only by four points, and have frustrated their supporters by not being able to extend their lead.
The Gunners have been heavily criticized for their over-reliance on set-pieces. Their lack of attacking threat from open play is a concern. They need to be more fluid, and this needs to be throughout the team, including the back line.
Mikel Arteta's strong defensive line has been a key part of their success. However, an injury to Riccardo Calafiori has led to Piero Hincapie filling in at left-back. The center-back does not offer the attacking threat that a natural left-sided defender would.
Hincapie has not been able to offer overlapping runs for Leandro Trossard, which has led to an imbalance in the Arsenal lineup.
How does Mikel Arteta solve this Piero Hincapie problem?
Surprisingly, Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is a natural left-back, has been left on the bench with Hincapie playing out of position. Lewis-Skelly will offer far more of an attacking threat and needs to start for the Gunners.
Arteta's side has lacked a cutting edge in their last three league games. They need to add some more character to their lineup. Lewis-Skelly has this in abundance as he showed when scoring in a 5-1 win over Manchester City last season. The left-back even mimicked Erling Haaland's meditation celebration when scoring.
The Gunners face Kairat Almaty in the Champions League tonight, which would be the perfect time for Arteta to unleash Lewis-Skelly once more. They are playing against inferior opposition, and Arsenal is already automatically through to the round of 16.
Arsenal will be expected to have a real run in the knockout stages of the Champions League this season. They also have one foot in the EFL Cup final as they lead Chelsea after the first leg of the tie. The Gunners also have a good draw in the FA Cup as they play Wigan Athletic of League One.
It is the Premier League that matters most to the Gunners, as they have not won it since the 2003/04 season. Arteta's team has also been runners-up in the last three campaigns. The Arsenal manager will need to make use of his full squad if they are to win the division and compete in other domestic and European competitions.