Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in this weekend’s Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Ahead of the game, the club are poised to be without one of their undisputed starters.
Gabriel Magalhaes picked up a thigh injury playing for Brazil last week. The centre-back could be out of action for one to two months after the setback.
Hence, there will be an enforced change in the heart of the defence. Here are three ways Arsenal could line up in defence without Gabriel on Sunday.
First Premier League start for Piero Hincapie
The Ecuadorian has made two starts in the Carabao Cup and Champions League since his initial loan move from Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
Hincapie recently started as a left-back for the Gunners in Europe, but he has been most successful in a left central defensive role over the last few years.
The 23-year-old, described as a ‘warrior‘ by manager Mikel Arteta, recently won 100 percent of his duels and tackles against Slavia Prague on the road.
If Arteta wants a natural left-footed option to replace Gabriel, Hincapie could partner William Saliba in the heart of the defence against Tottenham.
Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori
Another start for Cristhian Mosquera
Mosquera has already had meaningful playing time in the Premier League. The 21-year-old has managed almost 300 minutes of regular action.
He has primarily played when Saliba has been injured, and could now fill the void left by Gabriel. The left centre-back role won’t be alien to him.
The Spaniard played in the position during his formative years at Valencia, and he could seamlessly slot in if he gets the nod on Sunday afternoon.
The only concern with Mosquera has been his aerial weakness. He has won only 36 percent of his aerial challenges during his debut campaign.
Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori at centre-back, Myles Lewis-Skelly starts
The other solution could be to start Calafiori on the left side of central defence. He is familiar with the position, having played there for Italy and Bologna.
The Italian has similar traits to Gabriel with his aerial presence and ball-playing ability. He has shown that he can adapt to a more defensive-minded role when with the national team.
If Calafiori is chosen to start over Hincapie and Mosquera at left centre-back, it could open the door for Myles Lewis-Skelly to make his first league start of the season at left-back.
The Gunners graduate’s future has been debated following his recent England axe. The teenager could get the chance to redeem himself with a change of role for Calafiori.
Timber, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com