'I think we’ll see a different Carl’

What are Arsene Wenger’s right-back options for the Southampton game?

There’s Gabriel, who played most of Sunday’s win over Bournemouth in that position. Then there’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who filled the role at Nottingham Forest in the third round of the EFL Cup.

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But it’s Carl Jenkinson who will get the manager’s vote of confidence by starting his third game in 11 days.

The England international is only just back from a long-term knee injury and Wenger is willing to give him time to recapture his best form.

“You forget that it’s a big ask [to come back from a big injury],” he told Arsenal.com.

“Carl is very conscientious and sometimes a bit anxious. It takes him time to play completely with freedom. He needs a run of games to play with freedom, so the fact that he can get another game… I think we’ll already see a different Carl.

“I rested him completely against Bournemouth because he played two big games and I felt he needed a breather. Sometimes, mentally three games in a week demands a lot. We’ll get him back tomorrow, put Gabriel in the centre and I will see for Saturday.”