Unai Emery must see the risk in playing Stephan Lichtsteiner against Liverpool, and turn to Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the Gunners’ hour of need.
On the chalkboard
Lichtsteiner’s arrival at the Emirates in the summer was never seen as a long-term move, with the former Juventus defender 34, but rather to bring experienced cover to the right-back spot.
Hector Bellerin’s calf strain sustained in Arsenal’s defeat to Southampton then presented the Swiss international with a chance to feature regularly, having been resigned to a substitute and rotation role since making his debut as Maitland-Niles’ replacement in defeat to Manchester City.
Wednesday’s draw at the Amex was Lichtsteiner’s fourth start in the Premier League, and he should not make it five come Saturday when his side faces Liverpool at Anfield.
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At fault for the equaliser
While Lichtsteiner has shown his defensive qualities at times, the right-back’s attempted interception of Brighton’s clearance took the pace off the ball and presented Jurgen Locadia with an opening to score, showing the key areas of decision making he lacks.
Had the 34-year-old allowed the clearance to sail over his head, Bernd Leno would have stood a better chance of meeting the ball prior to any Brighton player, and the Seagulls would not have dragged a foot into the game.
In the end, the Gunners could not find the net again and were forced to settle for a point and remained fifth, falling two-points behind Chelsea in the race for Champions League qualification.
Starting Maitland-Niles at Anfield
If Lichtsteiner were to repeat his midweek performance at Anfield, Sadio Mane would have a field day, and the current unbeaten leaders would continue their assault on a first Premier League crown.
Maitland-Niles may present a more attacking focused option, with the versatile 21-year-old a natural midfielder, but the academy graduate is the more capable of the pair to restrain Mane’s impact on the game by keeping pace with the Senegal international.
Emery’s recent obsession with three defensive midfielders in Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi will also provide the needed cover when Maitland-Niles looks to push on and support the attacks, with one or more dropping in alongside the centre-backs.
It can be deemed a risk starting the England youth international in a game as big as this, especially after how out of his depth he looked in the Carabao Cup defeat to Spurs, but he has since bounced back to look closer to his best and coped well against Riyad Mahrez and co prior to suffering a broken leg against Man City on the opening day.
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