How can Arsenal replace Bukayo Saka?
12/31/2024 08:16 PM
Replacing their star player may be impossible, but there are several aspects Mikel Arteta can try to replicate.
With Bukayo Saka out for the foreseeable future, Arsenal have a huge problem. Saka is a major source for goals, assists, and creating something out of nothing, and is perhaps the one elite talent in Arsenal's attacking front three. Without Saka, goal-scoring will be harder. However, there are other things that Saka brings that will be missed, and have to be replaced. While some of Saka's qualities aren't replaceable without going into the transfer market, there are some internal solutions.
Ball-carrying - Martin Ødegaard
Saka is Arsenal's most effective ball carrier. Saka receives the most progressive passes per 90 minutes, and also carries the ball into the penalty area and final third a high number of times per 90 minutes. Indeed, in picturing an Arsenal attack, Saka carrying the ball is a visual that immediately comes to mind.
One player who can carry the ball is Martin Ødegaard, and his role might have to change slightly to bring more ball carrying into his game. A lot of Ødegaard's game is based on passing and creating, but he does have the capability to be more direct in the final third. Against Ipswich, Ødegaard did carry the ball more into the second half, and this is an aspect of his game that might have to come to the fore with Saka's absence.
Small space play - Gabriel Jesus
Jesus has had a mini renaissance at number 9, scoring five goals in 90 minutes against Crystal Palace. But with Saka's injury, Jesus' time as the centre forward for Arsenal might not be that much longer, because he might also be the best replacement for Saka on the right. For one thing, Jesus was a wide forward for much of his time at Manchester City, and has played wide for Arsenal. Part of his proclivity out wide is his capability to keep hold of the ball in tight spaces, to carry the ball and dribble. Beyond that, though, Jesus might be the best at replicating Saka's combination play at the edge of the box, which is a crucial part of Arsenal's play on the right hand side. Martinelli, on the other hand, is more likely to stay wide from the right, while Jesus is more likely to come inside and get into shooting positions.
Everything else - the transfer market?
Here's the thing. When it comes to Saka, we cannot replace him. We cannot. No one else is going to be able to replicate Saka's goals and assists. If there was a player in the squad, that player would be playing already. Arsenal will have to change the focus of how they play, and Mikel Arteta might look to lean into Arsenal's defensive strength in order to reduce the number of goals Arsenal need to score. However, Arsenal are going to have to look at the transfer market. Against Ipswich, only Ethan Nwaneri was on the bench, and given Raheem Sterling's performances this season, his return from injury isn't going to be hugely reassuring. Arsenal are going to have to look to add the player that probably should've been signed in the summer, either a wide forward or a striker, and will probably pay more money than the player is worth. That however, is the price to pay, as the gamble in the summer didn't pay off.
