Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted that he could play Bukayo Saka in a different position moving forward.
The Gunners are heading into their next game against Wolves hoping to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table. If they beat Wolves at Molineux, Arsenal will go seven points clear at the top of the table.
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Mikel Arteta has had some injury problems to worry about this season, and this was prevalent against Wigan at the weekend, as he had to start Bukayo Saka as a number 10, because of Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard all dealing with injuries.
Arteta says Saka will play as a number 10 more
Ahead of the Wolves match, Arteta was asked in his pre-match press conference as to whether he will play Saka in the number 10 role more. He said: “Yes, depending on the options that we have available, we will try to be as good as possible. We have another opportunity, another option there, which is great.”
Arteta was also asked whether Saka himself enjoyed playing in the role, and enjoyed playing alongside Noni Madueke, who started on the right-wing. He said: “I think he does, and everything that brings a challenge to him. Anything where he needs to prove something, that ticks something in him, and I think that’s a positive.
“The way they like each other so much, they’re constantly together, and there is some competition within the places, but the team benefits from that and they benefit from that as well.”
Saka signed a new Arsenal contract
This week, it was a great week for Saka, as the England international signed a new five-year contract at the Emirates, which is due to keep him at the club until June 2031.
It is understood that Saka’s new deal is worth £300,000 per week, making him the highest-paid Arsenal player, overtaking Havertz, who is on a deal worth around £280,000 per week.
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