Since the Gunners are off to such a great start this season, what will Mikel Arteta do now that Keiran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu are healthy and ready to contribute major minutes?
Does the manager replace Alex Zinchenko at left back with KT, and does Ben White go to the bench allowing Tomi the chance to reclaim his starting spot at right back?
This is why Premier League managers make the big bucks, right?
Most, if not all, top flight managers will tell you it’s great having these battles for starting places taking place in training. It pushes the guy on top to play better, while giving the back-up an opportunity to push the #1 man.
Unfortunately for Tierney and Tomiyasu they have both proven to be somewhat injury prone, and unable to play complete seasons. Also, since the Gunners have created such good chemistry among the current starting XI, I would fear any change in that dynamic could hinder the club’s current progress.
Remember the old adage – “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” This is probably what Arteta and his coaching staff are currently thinking.
It will be shocking to see either Tierney or Tomiyasu in the starting line-up this weekend at Bournemouth.
For now, at least, they will have to be making their contributions off the bench as substitutions, however, both men will get their minutes this season. There’s no doubt about that.
Cheers, and COYG!
Gunner1953