Arsenal players and coaching staff are gearing up for the Brighton away game. The postponement of the City game has provided a further respite for players with niggling injuries such as Bellerin who has been suffering lately and also Cedric who is now back into full training.
Arteta has four options for the right back position if you add Maitland Niles on the list.
I don't really think however that he will be selected for this game as he hasn't been in Arteta's game squads recently. It seems that Arteta is not convinced that he is showing the right attitude in training to really challenge for this position.
This is what Arteta said about his situation:
"Ainsley needs to put his head down, work hard and show me every day in training he wants it more than anybody else and that he wants to play for this club and fight for his place."
The other option is to blood in Cedric for his Arsenal debut. I don't think however that Arteta will do so as Cedric is only now back in full training and he may want to improve his match fitness especially in U23s games.
Bellerin would be the best option of course but he has had his problems since returning from his long term injury. Arteta said: "Hector has been having some discomfort for a few months, he has been trying to deal with it all the time, his attitude to try and play and be available has been great and there is nothing new."
This leaves Socrates as the only viable option at the moment who has been doing ok at this position although he does lack pace when faced with a fast winger.
As a result Pablo Maris would get another run at centre back alongside Luiz.
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