Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes Bukaya Saka is better suited to filling in at left-back for Kieran Tierney, rather than understudy Nuno Tavares and Granit Xhaka.
Tierney will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury and 22-year-old Tavares was expected to come in and deputise.
Tavares produced a horror show in the Gunners’ 3-0 defeat by Crystal Palace on Monday night, with fans questioning his ability to provide cover.
Keown claims Arteta should look beyond Tavares and utilise Saka in the position, with the England international previously playing in the role.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: ‘Well, he [Tavares] probably isn’t.
If that was your boy out there, taken off after 25 minutes against [Nottingham] Forest.
‘We – Arsenal – have to find a solution to the left-back problem.
I know that’s radical but I’d rather see that than [Granit] Xhaka there who will get exposed.
Nicolas] Pepe would go to the right and [Gabriel] Martinelli on the left.
If you’ve got an issue with a player to such an extent that mistakes are being made down that side, then you can’t play him [Tavares].
They’ll be setting teams out to exploit that weakness.
It won’t be long before Xhaka is off the pitch and Arsenal are down to 10 men again.
Saka has been a key figure in the attacking areas for Arsenal this season, and Arteta will not want to lose his threat in the final third.
The 20-year-old has netted nine times in 29 appearances so far this campaign, and contributed to five assists.
Keown is hopeful Tierney’s injury won’t have a huge impact on Arsenal’s Champions League bid.
‘Well, of course, the squad is bare,’ he added.
The 11 [players] that make it to the pitch can do a job.
Whether it can make the top four, I did actually say that Tottenham were favourites for the top four when Arsenal beat [Aston] Villa.
Not because I’m not an Arsenal fan – of course I am – but you have to be realistic.
‘That doesn’t mean Arsenal are not going to finish in the top four but this weekend you’ve got to bounce back against Brighton.
Arsenal take on Brighton on Saturday, as they look to keep the pressure on north London rivals Tottenham, who face a tricky test away against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa.