Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed that he is “open to keep evolving” players like Bukayo Saka when asked if the winger could operate in a more central role in the future.
Saka has previously had people who doubt his ability and, time and time again, he has made them eat their words as he continually proves that he is not just one of Arsenal’s best players, but also one of the best in the world.
So much is his impact on Arsenal that Arteta has revealed that he would be “open” to the idea of Saka operating in a more central role which could allow him to impact and dictate games even more than he already does.
Arsenal - Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka (Image credit: Getty Images)
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Speaking in his pre-match press conference, ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League tie against Everton, Arteta said: “I think that will depend a lot on the qualities and the players who are around him. For somebody to be an inside instead of an outside, somebody has to be outside and that player, that full-back, that attacking midfielder and nine has to allow the space to do that.”
“But I’m certainly very open to keep evolving players. Sometimes it’s the role, sometimes it’s the position on the pitch and sometimes there are other things we can do so that he can spend more time in this position because when the ball is far on the opposite side, we can choose where we want him, but we’re certainly thinking about these kind of things.”
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The 23-year-old Hale End Academy product is enjoying exceptional form at the start of the 2024/25 season, having already amassed nine goals and 12 assists during his 21 appearances across all competitions.
Most recently, his two goals and assist against AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League League Phase, where Arsenal emerged as 3-0 victors, saw him named as the UEFA Player of the Week.
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