Everyone on this blog knows how much I love Bukayo. We never had a more efficient winger since the Overmars days. That combination of speed, torque, intelligence and levelheadedness of Saka is hard to find. He is hard to predict and teams put at least two players around him to stop him. They can try but Bukayo always finds a way to beat them, and his stats of assists and goals are second to none.
He will be missed, but that’s footie. So what can Arteta do to deal with this temporary loss?
Martinelli replaces Bukayo. The obvious choice as Arteta already put this in practice on Saturday. Odegaard will give him great service and Martinelli’s right foot can do great cut backs and crosses. We just need our attacking players to be ready. The problem is that the young Brazilian leaves a gap on the left, as Trossard isn’t really a winger.
Marquinhos is said to return from his latest loan spell in January. I liked him from the start and right-wing is his favourite position, I think, but his lack of experience in the PL and the time he would need to adjust, could cost us.
Play Trossard or Jesus in Saka’s position. The Brazilian and Belgian are flexible players and will always put in a shift, but it remains to be seen how effective they will be on the right. I see this more as a one-off solution than one for a number of games.
Odegaard on the right, with Jorginho or Nwaneri to play in the Norwegian’s usual position? Martin has a lot of Bukayo’s skills but would we miss his midfield mastery too much?
Nwaneri to replace Bukayo. This would be quite the gamble but my gut feeling is it could work. Ethan has the close ball control and speed so vital for this position; he also is a good finisher and would relish the opportunity, I think…
what do you think Arteta will/should opt for?
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 ❤️
by TotalArsenal