MIKEL ARTETA must be thinking the left-back spot remains cursed. Bukayo Saka, the youngster who has impressed in his makeshift role, became the latest star to add his name to the treatment table. Both Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney have only managed 16 league starts between them having battled with injuries throughout the campaign. Every […]
MIKEL ARTETA must be thinking the left-back spot remains cursed.
Bukayo Saka, the youngster who has impressed in his makeshift role, became the latest star to add his name to the treatment table.
Both Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney have only managed 16 league starts between them having battled with injuries throughout the campaign.
Every time one left-back comes in to fill the void, they end up crocked and back in the physio room.
The second period was played with centre-midfielder Granit Xhaka taking up the position in a back four that also included Shkodran Mustafi.
It only emphasised the Spaniard’s need to get his new signings fit and ready for Premier League action.
Although they weren’t big-name additions, Arsenal did manage to bolster their backline with the arrivals of Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares in January.
Mari, 26, was at Manchester City when Arteta was assistant to Pep Guardiola before he joined Flamengo.
The boss knows of his strengths and said of the deal: “For me it’s very important. He balances what I want to do from the backline.
“He gives us more options, more solutions and opens up the pitch more. He is a player we have been following for a couple of months that we are very happy to have.”
Although primarily a central defender, Mari is naturally left-footed and will add a greater balance to Arsenal’s defence.
But he is not yet ready for Premier League action and was left out of the squad to take on Burnley.
That is also the case for Soares who is also struggling with injury.
The right-back is a smart addition and arrives with a wealth of experience having made more than 100 appearances for the Saints.
With Hector Bellerin able to make just five league appearances, Soares will also provide welcome cover at the back when he’s recovered from a knee injury.
Arsenal expect him to be back on the bench in the middle of February when they host Newcastle before taking on Olympiakos in the Europa League.
But it still doesn’t resolve their left-back issue and Arteta will welcome the winter break to get his defenders fit again.
