Arsenal boss Unai Emery faces defensive selection dilemma ahead of Chelsea trip

AFP/Getty Images
James Benge13 August 2018

Arsenal boss Unai Emery faces the prospect of heading to Chelsea without a fit left-back to choose from with Ainsley Maitland-Niles injured and Nacho Monreal not guaranteed to recover in time for the second game of the season.

The Spanish international returned to training at London Colney on Saturday following a knee injury, but was unable to play any part in Arsenal’s season opener - a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.

With Sead Kolasinac sidelined for two months with knee troubles of his own, Emery was forced to deploy Maitland-Niles, a natural midfielder, at left back in his first starting line-up.

But Arsenal’s troubles only deepened when Maitland-Niles limped out of the game following a collision with Kyle Walker.

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In his stead, 34-year-old right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner was forced to fill in on the opposite flank against Riyad Mahrez and Kyle Walker in what would prove to be a bruising examination for the veteran defender.

In Pictures | Arsenal vs Manchester City | 12/08/2018

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Emery was unable to offer an immediate prognosis on Maitland-Niles and said of Monreal: “Nacho started working with the group yesterday, maybe he can arrive for the next match.

“Every day is important to know how they are.”

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