Worried Arsenal seeking alternatives at right-back against PSG to counter Kvaratskhelia threat

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal have to “take a look at alternate options” for the troublesome right-back slot towards Paris Saint-Germain if Jurrien Timber doesn’t make it.

Timber is working his approach again from a groin damage that has saved him out for 2 months. The Netherlands worldwide has been an enormous a part of Arsenal’s success this season, enjoying 43 video games in all competitions and serving to put them getting ready to a Premier League and Champions League double.

The Gunners are in pole place to win the league with video games towards already relegated Burnley and a Crystal Palace facet with one eye on their Convention League remaining towards Rayo Vallecano to come back.

The Champions League appears a a lot harder proposition towards a PSG facet that clinched the trophy for the primary time 12 months in the past with a 5-0 hammering of Inter Milan within the remaining.

The Parisians have a potent ahead line with Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia patrolling the left flank.

Timber’s potential absence is compounded by a season-ending damage to Ben White, who would usually be back-up on the correct of the defence.

It leaves Arteta wanting choices. Declan Rice crammed in quickly at West Ham final weekend however he will probably be required in midfield with centre-half Cristhian Mosquera and common left-back Riccardo Calafiori additionally contenders.

“We have to take a look at alternate options,” mentioned Arteta. “The 2 gamers that we’ve, they’re not obtainable in the meanwhile. So we have to look and do one thing else. The nice factor is that we’ve expertise all around the pitch this season. As a result of once we had points usually they’ll be in the identical place. And we’ve managed to search out the correct ranges of efficiency and consistency so I’m certain we’ll do this.”

Arsenal could use left-back Calafiori on the correct towards PSG

Requested if he could strive Calafiori on the correct within the remaining league video games, Arteta was undecided if he would be taught sufficient.

“I feel the pattern is so tiny,” he mentioned. “It is vitally troublesome to guage a participant when he has low minutes. Declan Rice, when he’s performed as a full-back, towards Brighton, was distinctive. However then the opposite evening, it was one thing else. It relies upon.

“The pattern remains to be so little, it’s going to stay so little from right here to the top of the season to guage if a participant is nice sufficient and might carry out within the place. Additionally, what’s the price of transferring that participant from one place to the opposite, and that’s the stability that we have to discover.

Arteta praises Lewis-Skelly for Arsenal affect

It was put to Arteta that taking a danger in transferring a participant to a brand new position has labored within the case of left-back-cum-midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly.

“I don’t know if the phrase is danger,” he added. “On the finish we’ve to decide as a result of it the circumstances are requiring that. With Miles it was a distinction, it was a alternative due to what we noticed and what we believed that he might do and what the group wanted. He’s finished actually very well.”

The dream state of affairs could be for Timber to show his health for the PSG conflict.

Arteta mentioned: “He has progressed a bit of bit in the previous couple of days. He’s feeling higher. We’re going to attempt to get him match and obtainable as fast as doable, however let’s see.

“He’s such an essential participant for us and he’s doing every thing he can to assist the group in any capability. His management, his high quality and the way a lot the group wants him. He’s doing every thing he can.”