Arteta can unleash Rice at centre-back with Timber at left-back against Liverpool | OneFootball

Arsenal welcome Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League today.

The Gunners are six points behind leaders Manchester City following a disappointing 2-0 loss to Bournemouth last weekend.

They are also four points behind second-placed Liverpool, and today’s game is a must-win to avoid losing ground in the title race.

A defeat would leave them seven points off the summit after just nine games.

Manager Mikel Arteta has a selection headache with William Saliba suspended and Riccardo Calafiori injured.

Jurrien Timber looks to have finally recovered from injury and he could be asked to play left-back ahead of Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Jakub Kiwior is the natural replacement for Saliba at centre-back, but the left-footed ace has been unconvincing from the right-sided role.

He made a high-profile error in the recent loss to the Cherries, and Arteta may be reluctant to start him.

The Spaniard could unleash a wildcard option in the form of Declan Rice.

Rice has largely operated as a deep-lying defensive midfielder in his career, but he has made 20 appearances as a central defender.

The Englishman will be making his 250th Premier League appearance today, and Arteta could have a surprise in store against the Reds.

Rice is obviously better than Kiwior with his passing and aerial presence. He also has the recovery pace which Kiwior lacks.

If Arteta were to experiment with a wildcard option, Rice could be deployed alongside Gabriel Magalhaes.

Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino could start in the heart of the midfield against Arne Slot’s side.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com.