Injuries have hit Arsenal at the worst possible time. Specifically in defence where Takehiro Tomiyasu has been ruled out of the rest of the season and William Saliba has missed the last four games in a row.
Both limped off as the Gunners exited the Europa League at the round of 16 stage at the hands of Sporting CP last month and their absences have not only resulted in Rob Holding being thrust into action alongside Gabriel Magalhaes but it's left Mikel Arteta with very little room to manoeuvre.
Had Tomiyasu been fit during Saliba's absence, the Arsenal manager would have had the option of using the Japan international as a centre-back or keeping him at right-back and thus moving Benjamin White inside to reunite last season's go-to central defensive partnership.
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However, the Spaniard has to play with the cards that have been dealt. With White the only senior option at right-back available for selection, it all but guarantees his role won't be tweaked for the remainder of the season and he may need to play every single minute of the run-in.
This is because Arteta has, so far, resisted the temptation of highly-rated academy prospect Reuell Walters a first-team debut despite including him on the bench for games against Crystal Palace, Leeds United, Liverpool and most recently at the weekend away at West Ham United
Interestingly, the 18-year-old finds himself in a position where he's on standby especially if there's another injury setback in defence as he can operate as a centre-half and at full-back on both sides. However, a senior debut may not be forthcoming when factoring in Arteta's reluctance to use the likes of Marcelo Flores, Charlie Patino, Omari Hutchinson and Zak Swanson when Arsenal were battling for a top-four finish last season.
So with the stakes even higher this season - the Premier League title race - coupled with White required at full-back, it leaves Holding, Gabriel and January signing Jakub Kiwior as the only central defensive options at Arteta's disposal until Saliba is fit again.
Now, it's no secret that Arsenal have missed the Frenchman and it was noticeable that whilst both of West Ham's goals were created down their right-hand side, they did get a lot of joy with Michail Antonio in 1v1 duels against Holding which prompted criticism from some supporters in the direction of the Gunners' no.16.
With that said, barring Saliba's return to fitness, a change of formation or a surprise team selection decision, fans will have to get used to Holding as the right-sided centre-back for the time being and this is based on Arteta's one demand with regard to playing out from the back.
Upon signing Pablo Mari in January 2020, explained the importance of recruiting a left-footer in defence due to the increased passing angles it opens up in the build-up phase: "For me, it's very important," he said. "He balances what I want to do from the back line, he gives more options, more solutions, he opens up the pitch more. Again, he's a player that we've been following for the last few months. We are really happy to have him."
Replace Mari with Holding and the point remains the same. As Arsenal like to play out from the back, for balance purposes it's necessary that a right-footer is on the right-hand side of defence and a left-footer on the opposite side. As a result, the chances of Kiwior - a left footer - replacing Holding appear slim to none.
Furthermore, the fact that the Poland international replaced Gabriel for his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace last month is perhaps a clear sign that Arteta doesn't view his £21m signing as a viable option to rotate with Holding to hold down the fort until Saliba is ready to return.
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