Mikel Arteta will have early chance to prove himself with Arsenal left-back issue

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Mikel Arteta could potentially have a golden opportunity to prove his tactical nous early doors at Arsenal.

The 37-year-old has officially been announced as the new Gunners boss following the sacking of Unai Emery last month.

The former Manchester City assistant will be in the stands for the club’s game against Everton on Saturday (BBC Sport).

The appointment is undoubtedly a gamble by Arsenal chiefs, with Arteta having never previously managed as a main man.

He had been working as Pep Guardiola’s assistant since 2016, but now it is time for the ex-Gunners midfielder to put everything he’s learned into practise.

And there will be an early chance for Arteta to prove just how tactically astute he is, with Arsenal currently struggling at left-back.

Kieran Tierney is out until March 2020 at the earliest, and Sead Kolasinac has been ruled out until January with an ankle injury (official website).

TBR’s view – Saka the experiment?

Arteta may have to turn to youngster Bukayo Saka over the next few weeks as a means of covering for the crocked pair.

The teenager used to be a wing-back, but obviously he doesn’t have much experience playing the position for the first-team.

Arteta is no stranger to seeing players shoehorned in at left-back, with Guardiola having used Fabian Delph and Oleksandr Zinchenko there at City to cover Benjamin Mendy.

Left-footer Granit Xhaka could also be an option.

Those that have doubts about Arteta tactically will definitely be able to get a clearer bearing on him with the way he handles this particular problem.