Mikel Arteta already has a defensive crisis on his hands after latest injury blow

We’re only halfway through September and Arsenal are already running out of defenders.

William Saliba, of course, has been out since the summer, recovering from a back injury after the World Cup. Cristhian Mosquera limped off against Aston Villa and has yet to return. Ben White went off at half-time at Sunderland at the weekend, replaced by Jurrien Timber — himself only just back from a groin injury that ruled him out of the World Cup. Timber has been left out of tonight’s squad against Ipswich, though Arsenal have stressed that is precautionary as they manage his return carefully.

And now, according to football.london, Piero Hincapie has picked up a muscular injury, despite having trained this week. His absence from tonight’s squad at Portman Road was instantly met with worry from Arsenal fans, and that has now been confirmed.

That’s four senior defenders unavailable — half of Arsenal’s defensive options — and it’s not even October.

Mikel Arteta has instead been forced into some creative solutions, with Martin Zubimendi starting at right-back and Myles Lewis-Skelly reverting to left-back. Two midfielders filling in across the back four. That may not be the most defensively solid option, but on the plus side, that’s a lot of technical quality on the pitch at one time.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Marli Salmon makes only his second senior start, while Max Dowman also gets his opportunity. Both teenagers have been thrown into a Carabao Cup tie partly out of necessity, but they’re more than good enough to be involved.

Arsenal’s squad depth has been rightly celebrated this season. But their depth at the back is certainly now being tested. The Ezri Konsa signing all of a sudden looks a lot smarter already.