Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has adopted Arsenal's approach of using a natural centre-back at right-back, with Ronald Araujo continuing to impress in the role despite questions over whether it is a long-term tactic.
The Reds endured a shaky start to their Premier League campaign, being held to back-to-back 2-2 draws by Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. However, they have shipped just a further four goals in the six games that have followed since Araujo was first implemented at full-back against Ipswich Town at the start of September, with three of those coming after they were reduced to 10 men against Manchester City.
Arsenal's Defensive Blueprint
While Liverpool became famous for their flying full-backs in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson under Jurgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta has taken a different approach at Arsenal. The Gunners' back-line is essentially four centre-backs for added defensive solidity.
Last season's title-winning defence saw William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes predominantly flanked by Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, while this season Ben White and Ezri Konsa have emerged in the absence of the injured Frenchman and Dutchman. Timber, White, Konsa and Cristhian Mosquera are all equally adept at both right-back and centre-back, with the same true of Calafiori and Piero Hincapie on the opposing flank.
While Saliba and Gabriel will remain the first-choice centre-back pairing when reunited, it is no coincidence that Arteta's six remaining senior defenders are natural centre-backs that can also play out wide. That added defensive solidity delivers proven results, with the Gunners boasting the meanest defence in the English top-flight in each of the past three seasons, conceding fewer than champions Manchester City and Liverpool in 2023/24 and 2024/25 respectively before retaining such a crown when winning the Premier League themselves. The same is again true already this season, having conceded just five goals from their first eight games.
Iraola's Assessment of the Switch
Ahead of facing Arsenal, Iraola acknowledged the benefits of the selection. "Defensively, we are defending really well lately but still we have some situations where we need to improve," he said. "In the league, we have been less dangerous offensively.
"So it is still too early to take big conclusions but there are improvements needed everywhere, yes. It definitely helps having a centre-back at right-back when we talk about defending set-pieces. It helps a bit with the height and the physicality of the team, you know. It helps us to defend better but it is true that you lose a little bit also offensively on the other side.
"Offensively we cannot demand of Ronald the same thing of other full-backs and what they give us. But we have to balance this with other positions and other patterns."
Injuries and Future Uncertainty
While such stationing is currently Liverpool's selection of choice, Iraola's hand has also been forced by injuries and form. Araujo saw off the challenge of an out-of-sorts Jeremie Frimpong to break into the Reds' starting XI, but now faces limited competition after the Dutchman was sidelined with a muscle injury. Meanwhile, Conor Bradley remains a long-term absentee as a result of the serious knee injury he suffered the last time Liverpool faced the Gunners at the Emirates back in January.
Consequently, Araujo remains the man in possession of the right-back jersey, with Joe Gomez, who started there in the midweek League Cup victory over Chelsea, his only available senior competition. Like the Uruguayan, Gomez is a natural centre-back. Neither player is currently contracted to the Reds next season, with Gomez out of contract at Anfield after 12 seasons on Merseyside, while Araujo is currently scheduled to return to parent club Barcelona when his loan move expires.
Liverpool do possess a £47m purchase option to sign the Uruguayan permanently, but both player and his agent insist it is too early to be deciding his future. "It's very early to talk about these things," Araujo said ahead of facing Villarreal earlier this month. "I'm just trying to enjoy every day, continue to grow and develop every day to have that confidence."
His agent, Edoardo Crnjar, has since said similar, telling WinWin: "Ronald is performing well. We're very happy with what he's bringing to the team, but it's still too early to talk about his future at this point. He's feeling great. He's happy to be playing for Liverpool and happy to help the club and his teammates, just as he already said."
For now, Liverpool will continue with a centre-back at right-back, and against Arsenal they face the biggest test of their season so far against a side whose playbook they continue to emulate. While they continue to reap the defensive benefits from Araujo's selection on the flank, the jury is still out on whether such a selection could prove to be part of the long-term Iraola master-plan at Anfield.
