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Mikel Arteta has quite the selection headache when it comes to Arsenal's back-line for the highly anticipated North London Derby against Tottenham on Thursday night.

The full-back position on either side has emerged as something of a problem area for the Gunners boss as Arsenal approach the season's final furlong with Champions League football still on the line. Four points currently separate the North London neighbours, with Arsenal in the much coveted fourth spot.

First-choice left-back Kieran Tierney is ruled out for the remainder of the season and has been since early April, presenting his deputy Nuno Tavares with the chance to make the spot his own.

Instead, the young Portuguese defender has continued his turbulent start to his Gunners career. While Tavares has plenty of positive attributes in an attacking-sense, he is undeniably shaky when it comes to the defensive side of the game.

Many fans and pundits alike have suggested Tavares' tendency to make at least one glaring error per game means it is far too much of a risk to play him in Arsenal's final three fixtures of the season. It would appear, if the most recent outing is anything to go by, that Arteta agrees.

Summer signing Takehiro Tomiyasu has been nothing short of a revelation after his arrival from Bologna, but has had his injury issues during his debut