REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo
If Mikel Arteta isn't careful, then Arsenal's season will follow two different scripts.
The one before a shock 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Brighton followed an untouchable protagonist, who had the deserved arrogance and swagger of a champion. Some even believed he could be invincible for the second-ever time.
REUTERS/Tony O Brien
The writers have since got to work on a fresh script. Any notion of invincibility has been binned, tossed into the bin with other failed unbeaten stories. The arrogance has been dented. Suddenly, an antagonist in Manchester is becoming all too serious once again.
Arteta must order the Premier League to get back to the script ASAP, but that must start with getting Bukayo Saka back to his best.
Why Dowman could replace Saka sooner rather than later
Just ask Liverpool and Arne Slot what happens when champions fail to evolve. It's not a pretty picture. It's why Arsenal initially opened the campaign with the return of fluid, attacking football, rather than what some have accused is an over-reliance on set-pieces.
Martin Odegaard looked back to his best, with two goals in the first three games, including a winner against Chelsea. Kai Havertz looked to have cemented his place as the starting striker and Myles Lewis-Skelly very much looked the part in midfield. Saka was also back in the goals.
Saka-Arsenal
But the warning signs started to show against Sunderland. But for David Raya's save to deny Enzo Le Fee from the spot, Arsenal could have ended their trip to Wearside without three points and it speaks volumes that Raya was arguably the best player on the pitch.
Arteta didn't heed those warnings, however, and to say that he paid the price against Brighton would be an understatement. The Gunners were swept aside and there have been several questions surrounding the frontline and aimed at Saka ever since.
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Saka vs Brighton
Minutes played
Touches
Accurate passes
Shots
Key passes
Successful crosses
Successful dribbles
Duels won
Possession lost
The England international missed a huge chance to equalise before Brighton ran riot and also had more touches inside the area than any other player on the pitch. Yet, by the time Arsenal trudged off, the winger had failed to make the big moments count.
Having struggled for the majority of the last campaign too, Arteta could face a difficult decision sooner rather than later - especially as Max Dowman continues to thrive.
REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
It is inevitable that Dowman takes someone's place in that starting frontline. Logic suggests it will be Christos Tzolis, but rumours aren't going away that the Gunners want a top-quality left-winger after interest in Vinicius Junior over the summer.
That could result in an awkward conversation between Saka and Arteta.
Arsenal's wildcard Saka replacement
Dowman has been direct, clinical and quick this season and is not slowing down. Saka has completed just seven dribbles, dropped in pace and failed in front of goal. If he does not improve, then Hale End's best will come for his role.
The biggest concern for Saka is that it's not just Dowman who's gunning for his place.
REUTERS/Matthew Childs
Ethan Nwaneri is arguably the most comparable player.
Like Saka, he plays best on the right when cutting in on his favoured left foot. He did so with such great success during the 2024/25 campaign, before heading out on loan last season.
It's yet to fully click for the Hale End graduate outside of Arsenal. Last year's Marseille spell wasn't helped by Roberto De Zerbi's exit and it's since been a tough start at Borussia Dortmund. The talent is undeniable, however.
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|Nwaneri vs Saka Premier League stats|
|Metric (* = per 90 mins)|Nwaneri 24/25|Saka 26/27|
|---|
|Minutes|889|418|
|Goals *|0.40|0.65|
|Assists *|0.20|0|
|Take-ons *|3.75|1.51|
|Chances created *|1.62|1.51|
In an Arsenal shirt, Nwaneri has always been a reliable option for Arteta. His loan spells have been as frustrating as it gets. This is a player who should be making an impact in north London after the 24/25 campaign. Two years later, he's simply been frozen out, however.
For Saka, that may come as a relief. Nwaneri can be Arsenal's answer to Lamine Yamal. At just 19 years old, this is a player who is more direct than Saka, far more so in fact, and creates more chances. He's also a better finisher.
Dropping the current Arsenal star would be a major decision, but another poor campaign may leave Arteta with no choice as Dowman progresses and Nwaneri returns from loan.
REUTERS/Heiko Becker
The Arsenal boss is certainly fond of the latter too, having told reporters in the summer: "I don't know on the plans but certainly it opens your eyes in terms of how much a young player can evolve in such a short period. That work and experience abroad - we set some difficulties and challenges - and what you can really get out of that.
"He's done it in a brilliant way. I think he's unquestionable - the talent, the desire, the love and the passion he has for the game. It's something that I always loved about Ethan.
It felt like yesterday when Saka was the emerging star from the academy for Arsenal. Now, he could find himself in a battle to remain the 'star boy' once founded in Hale End, courtesy of the very road that he paved several years ago.
Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez on the bench before the match
Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez on the bench before the match