Ezri Konsa’s fitness remains a concern heading into Saturday’s game against Leeds.
The Arsenal defender left the England camp after picking up a knock to the quad during the Croatia game, on top of the discomfort he had already been carrying throughout the break. Thomas Tuchel played it down, describing it as “nothing major, not a muscle injury.”
There is still hope Konsa makes it for Leeds. But if not, Mikel Arteta has an important selection decision to make, and it has sparked discussion on TalkingPoints.
Ben White is expected to return from his groin issue, and if the Arsenal manager wants to keep the right-hand side attacking fluidity going with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, he may opt to stick with him at full-back.
However, Jurrien Timber should be fit and available, so Arteta may go with his defensively trusted soldier instead. Of course, Timber could start at centre-back too — something he hasn’t done in the league for almost 300 days.
Piero Hincapie is another option, but he remains doubtful himself after the muscular injury that ruled him out of Ecuador’s international fixtures. And even if fit, we know Arteta isn’t keen on pairing two left-footed defenders at the heart of his backline. Hincapie and Gabriel share a similarly aggressive profile too, and probably wouldn’t complement each other so well.
There is also Marli Salmon, who has impressed when called upon, but at 17 he is extraordinarily young for a Premier League centre-back — we remember just how patient Arteta was with Saliba as a teenager.
Cristhian Mosquera is also pushing for a return since going off injured against Aston Villa in the second Premier League game of the season. And one very specific Leeds United threat makes him the best candidate.
Why Cristhian Mosquera has to start against Leeds
Up front for Leeds on Saturday will be Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has played himself back into the sort of form that currently makes him the backup to Harry Kane for England. The 29-year-old is a constant menace from set pieces and crosses, and a player who can punish any defensive hesitation in the air.
Not many centre-forwards have ever physically got the better out of Saliba and Gabriel, but Calvert-Lewin is one of them, back when he played for Everton.
Arsenal, who have already conceded from a headed corner this season against Brighton, will be keen to shore up that aspect of their defence, and Mosquera can help with that.
Without Saliba and Konsa to pair Gabriel, Mosquera is Arsenal’s next most aerially imposing centre-back option. Starting White or Timber and asking them to shift across into a central role creates an unnecessary mismatch.
Mosquera is the natural fit — physically dominant, aggressive in the air and, crucially, a right-footed partner for Gabriel.