Unai Emery said that David Luiz has been made to wait for his Arsenal debut because of the pre-season form of Callum Chambers and Sokratis.
The pair helped the Gunners keep a clean sheet at 1-0 victory over Newcastle United on Sunday
"Last year for Calum Chambers was a very good year," said Emery. "He played all the matches with Fulham , he played centre-back in a three and two, as a defensive midfielder.
"In the pre-season, he deserved to play today. He was very focused and with Sokratis as well, very serious.
"I want to have very competitive players in each position, with David Luiz, with [Rob] Holding when he is coming to help us, training regularly and playing minutes.”