Four ways Arsenal defence could line-up as Saliba returns to replace David Luiz

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Arsenal’s back line could look a whole lot different next season with William Saliba set to return while David Luiz will depart.

Saliba has spent the second half of the season on loan with Nice after failing to break into the first team, but Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he will be a part of his plans for next season.

Meanwhile, the Spaniard has also revealed that Luiz will leave the Gunners when his contract expires in the summer.

It’s not been the worst year for Arsenal at the back, with the Gunners boasting the third-best defensive record in the league, though they have looked a little shaky at times.

But with an imminent shake up about to happen, here are four ways Arteta could line his backline up next season.

Usual back four

In recent months, Arteta has often gone a back four to do the business.

With Hector Bellerin on the right and Kieran Tierney on the left, Arteta knows where he stands on his full-back.

And it’s looking rather likely that Gabriel will be partnered by either William Saliba or Rob Holding in the middle.

Defensive back five

Against tougher opponents, Arteta may opt to switch back into a five-back, with Bellerin and Cedric playing on the left.

That leaves Kieran Tierney to fill in on the left-side of the back three, where has previously excelled, while Gabriel, Saliba and Holding battle it out for the other two spaces.

Arteta played a back five against Chelsea, and it did pretty well, picking up a 1-0 win and looking very solid.

Rotated four at back

For cup games, Arteta will no doubt need to rotate his players, and he does in fact have a wealth of options available to him.

Callum Chambers would no doubt love some game time, as would Pablo Mari, while Cedric could once again fill in on the left.

Were Holding to get the nod over Saliba on a more regular basis, those two could easily interchange.

All-out attack

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    • In the case of needing to go for the win, Arteta should know that he can trust his centre-halves to go with three at the back, probably playing Bellerin and Bukayo Saka on the wings.

    Gabriel or Holding could sit in as a sweeper, while the more pacey Tierney and Saliba look to be the aggressors.

    This is a system that should only be used sparingly and when chasing a game, but it’s a definite option if such cases arise.

    • Arsenal FC

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