Arsenal will be forced to rely on Piero Hincapié at left-back against Liverpool if Riccardo Calafiori fails to recover from the unspecified injury that has raised doubts about his availability for Sunday's Premier League showdown at Anfield.

For Mikel Arteta, this is a potentially significant selection dilemma, especially with Arsenal preparing for a difficult encounter against a Liverpool side capable of punishing defensive weaknesses.

Calafiori has impressed with his energy, technical ability and willingness to contribute to Arsenal's attacking play, making his possible absence an unwelcome concern ahead of one of the team's biggest fixtures of the season.

However, Hincapié could provide a capable alternative if given the opportunity to start.

The Ecuadorian defender offers versatility, having played both as a centre-back and a left-back, while his physicality and aggressive defending could prove valuable against Liverpool's dangerous attackers.

His experience in high-pressure matches is another encouraging factor, although adapting to Arsenal's defensive structure and the demands of the Premier League remains an important part of his development.

Against Liverpool, Hincapié would need to be particularly careful when defending wide areas, where quick combinations, overlapping runs and changes of direction can expose even experienced defenders.

He would also have to balance his defensive responsibilities with Arsenal's attacking requirements, because Arteta expects his full-backs to contribute to possession and help the team progress the ball under pressure.

That is where the potential challenge becomes interesting.

While Hincapié has the defensive attributes to compete for a starting position, replacing Calafiori in such a demanding fixture would require concentration, communication and an understanding of when to advance and when to remain in position.

Nevertheless, this could be an important opportunity for the former Bayer Leverkusen defender to demonstrate why Arsenal brought him to the club.

If he delivers a composed performance at Anfield, he could strengthen his case for more regular involvement and give Arteta greater confidence in rotating his defensive options throughout the season.

There is also a broader consideration for Arsenal, who need dependable alternatives in every position if they are to maintain consistency across domestic and European competitions.

Calafiori cannot be expected to play every match without rest, particularly during a demanding campaign involving several competitions.

Having Hincapié ready to step in would therefore give Arteta valuable flexibility and reduce the pressure on the Italian to return before he is fully fit.

However, Arsenal supporters will understandably want confirmation that the Ecuadorian is ready for such a demanding assignment rather than seeing him rushed into the starting eleven simply because of an injury elsewhere.

Ultimately, Hincapié has the qualities to handle the challenge, but the Liverpool match would be a major test of his readiness to take on greater responsibility at Arsenal.

The question is whether Arteta will trust him to seize the opportunity or turn to another defensive option if Calafiori is unavailable.

Source: Sports Mole's Arsenal injury update ahead of Liverpool