Arteta has challenged his team to step up amid the absences and, before Saturday's Premier League clash against Leicester City, revealed that star centre-back Saliba, 23, is willing to step up.

Saliba began his career as a forward at AS Bondy and was coached by Kylian Mbappé's father, Wilfried. He dropped to centre-back as a teenager at Montfermeil and has played in the position since.

"Willy always says, 'I'll play as a striker, I'll play,' " Arteta said.

"Willy is so funny, straight away it was one of his reactions. It's true as well that he played there. He used to score a lot of goals.

"But probably a lot of players played there when they were younger. All the options are welcome. We are going to have to be creative."

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[–] ohwhatfollyisman 3 points 4 days ago

this team is truly the invertibles.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

I bet you he told that story on purpose to misdirect them from Merino. He's done it again

[–] ThePowerOfGeek 3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I say we give it a go once Ben's back to full fitness. Apart from anything else, it will Show Saliba is being heard and might help to get him to sign a new contract with us. At the very least, if we find ourselves in a situation where we are up by a couple of goals with 20-30 minutes left, move him up there and see what he can do.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago

I like this idea. We should hold more tryouts. Saliba wants a go, we've seen Merino already, and Rice could probably hammer a shot in.

So without Saliba, it's MLS - Saliba - White/Timber - Timber/White?
Merino wasn't really playing before this so he doesn't necessarily need replacing
Rice is probably the one where we don't have the personnel to replace him, unfortunately. He also needs a break :(