'It has been in my head': Mikel Arteta says he's actually thinking of changing one Arsenal player's position

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Arsenal have had so many injury issues this season.

We’re almost in the last week of January, and Mikel Arteta is yet to have a fully fit squad available at his disposal at the Emirates.

Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri have returned to training ahead of the Champions League clash, but one key player is still missing.

William Saliba has been ruled out of the game against Dinamo Zagreb, and Arteta could turn to a surprise player to replace him.

Mikel Arteta says he’s thinking of starting Declan Rice at centre-back

Declan Rice started his career at West Ham as a central defender.

The Englishman is now one of the best midfielders in the world, but he is more than capable of playing in the heart of defence if necessary.

Since joining Arsenal, Rice has only played as a centre-half once – as a substitute against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last season.

All of his other appearances have come in the middle of the park, but with Saliba out injured now, Arteta has admitted that he is thinking of deploying Rice in the Frenchman’s position.

When asked if Rice is an option to replace Saliba, Arteta said, as relayed on HaytersTV: “It has been in my head.

“The reality is he had to play in certain circumstances as a six, as an eight and in one game as a 10 as well. To put him in different positions is not ideal but he’s coping with it really, really well.

“But, we know that he has the ability to do that, offering something different to the other central defenders. The reality is we don’t have right-footers in that position.”

READ MORE:Declan Rice says it's actually 'scary' how good one Arsenal player is

Arsenal have three other options to replace Saliba

Saliba is arguably Arsenal’s most important player, and his absence is a huge loss.

The Gunners, however, are more prepared to replace him than they were a few years ago. Arteta has three options to deploy at right-centre-half.

Jurrien Timber is the obvious one and the Dutchman played well in that role against Aston Villa.

Jakub Kiwior is the other, and the Pole has impressed next to Gabriel Magalhaes when Saliba has not been available in the past.

The final option is Calafiori. The Italian is back in training now after overcoming his injury, and he is more than good enough to play in Saliba’s position.