Considering Arsenal’s full-back injury crisis, Liverpool is possibly the worst opponent they could encounter.
The threat that the Reds pose out wide, led by Mohamed Salah, is unmatched by many teams in the Premier League or even Europe.
The Egyptian has scored 10 goals against Arsenal in 14 Premier League games, giving him an outstanding record against the Gunners.
Although six of those goals came before to Mikel Arteta’s tenure as manager, Salah has scored four goals in eight games since the Spaniard took over, compared to his previous six-in-six record.
Takehiro Tomiyasu at left-back has proven to be the most successful tactic Arteta has used to silence Salah.
When Arsenal defeated Liverpool 3-2 in October 2022, the Japan international gave an outstanding performance.
Salah failed to score in the most recent Premier League encounter against Arsenal, as Tomiyasu effectively man-marked him out of the game.
“That was exactly what we hoped he would do,” Arteta remarked. “It is a completely different matter to consider doing that to Salah and carry it out.”
Arteta is frustrated because Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber are both hurt in addition to Tomiyasu.
Similar to Tomiyasu, Timber would provide Arsenal with a left-back with a right foot who could handle Salah’s cutting inside, which is when he is most dangerous.
In addition to his power and speed, the Dutchman has proven to be a superb one-on-one defender, which is crucial for stopping Salah.
Tomiyasu was thought to be Arsenal’s finest one-on-one defender prior to Timber’s arrival, but Timber might have supplanted him.
In order for Timber to be fit for Sunday, Arteta will be fervently hoping that he can overcome a muscular issue.
Timber missed Tuesday’s victory over Shakhtar Donetsk and hasn’t played since Arsenal defeated Paris Saint-Germain at the beginning of the month.
Although sources from Italy indicate that the knee injury he sustained against Shakhtar is not serious and won’t keep him out for more than two weeks, Calafiori might have filled in for Timber while he was out.
Despite being left-footed, Calafiori’s stature and innate defensive skills would have made him Salah’s perfect opponent.
Arteta has three choices if Calafiori, Timber, and Tomiyasu are all out.
Unless Arteta truly decides to get inventive, one of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Myles Lewis-Skelly, or Jakub Kiwior will start at left-back.
Zinchenko has a history of struggling against Liverpool, and his defensive shortcomings are well-known.
While Salah sailed past him to smash home the equaliser in the 1-1 draw before Christmas last season, Trent Alexander-Arnold skinned him for Liverpool’s second goal in the 2-2 draw in April 2023.
In February, Zinchenko began Arsenal’s final league match against Liverpool, which Salah missed because of an injury, but he was substituted out before halftime.
After being brought in, Kiwior performed admirably, starting the following eight games.
Since he is a better natural defender than Zinchenko, he seems to be Arteta’s safest bet. However, he is unable to tuck into midfield, and his lack of speed may be a problem.
In the face of a dangerous Liverpool, Arteta may decide to forgo that strategy, but Kiwior is not his man if he wants to dominate the middle of the pitch by outnumbering Arne Slot’s team.
Zinchenko’s recent recovery from a calf injury that has kept him out since August makes things more difficult, which is why Lewis-Skelly has suddenly become a viable alternative. Although he has never started a Premier League game, Arteta looked to the 18-year-old on Tuesday night after Calafiori was substituted out.
Arsenal holds the teenager in high regard; after he progressed through the ranks as a midfielder, they shaped him into a left-back, and his physique is beyond his years.
He would have to worry about facing a seasoned winger like Salah, who could easily torture Lewis-Skelly.
Gabriel Martinelli will play a significant part in whatever left-back Arteta chooses.
The Brazilian’s work off the ball is a major factor in Arteta’s admiration for him.
Martinelli will need to provide plenty of assistance to whoever plays behind him on Sunday because Arsenal is lacking in left-back alternatives.