Transfer Market, Forgotten Man, and an Experiment
The Arsenal fans are once again holding their breath after seeing one of their star players suffer an injury. Back in September, it was Martin Ødegaard on crutches, and now it's Bukayo Saka. After the Gunners' commanding 5-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, Saka was seen leaving Selhurst Park on crutches-a worrying sign for the team and their fans.
The England winger pulled up midway through the first half while crossing the ball and immediately signaled to the bench that something was wrong. Having suffered two hamstring injuries already this season, a third could be the most concerning yet for Saka. Mikel Arteta expressed his concern after the match, and with the next update on Saka's fitness due at a press conference, Arsenal are bracing themselves for a potential blow.
Losing Bukayo Saka, especially during such a crucial period in the season, would undoubtedly be a setback. But how can Arsenal cope without their 23-year-old star? Here are a few strategies the Gunners might turn to:
1. Use Other Wingers
The first tactical solution to replace Saka is to shift the current wingers in the team. This is exactly what Mikel Arteta did after Saka’s injury against Crystal Palace. In came Leandro Trossard, the dependable alternative for Arteta, onto the left-wing position, with Gabriel Martinelli making way by shifting to the right side. The outcome? Arsenal ran riot, thrashing their opponents 5-1, with Martinelli coming into particular prominence with his first goal of the month, and Trossard proving vital in the preparation of the goals.
Martinelli has traditionally played on the left side, but he has the flexibility and ability to excel on the right as well. Playing him on the right wing could provide not only an effective replacement for Saka but also an opportunity for Martinelli to seek other avenues and perhaps even help his overall game.
2. The Forgotten Man: Emile Smith Rowe
Another alternative could be through Emile Smith Rowe, who in recent times seems to have been forgotten in light of injuries and some players being at their best. The thing is, Smith-Rowe has shown many times his effectiveness in being an attacking player, not only for his dribbling, creativity, and scoring of goals, but he may be that similar option which Saka has presented them with.
With Saka possibly out for a long time, Arteta might look to bring Smith Rowe back into the team and give him a chance to impress. Though the young midfielder doesn't boast the same profile as Saka, his versatility and ability to find pockets of space could be what Arsenal need on the right-hand side.
3. The Transfer Market: A Potential Addition
If Saka's injury is worse than expected and he faces an extended period on the sidelines, Arsenal may turn to the transfer market for a short-term solution. With the January window fast approaching, Mikel Arteta may look to add another winger to his squad, someone who can fill the void left by Saka's absence.
There have been whispers about who that target could be with the likes of Mikkel Damsgaard-a bright young winger from Brentford, while even the likes of Raphinha from Barcelona has been mentioned. More importantly, the right signing would provide cover for Saka while adding an extra level of depth to Arsenal's attack.
4. Experiment with Tactics
Along with changing personnel, Arteta may look for a tactical change to help his team manage without their star winger. With the attacking talent at his disposal, Arteta may try a formation that does not heavily rely on Saka's presence. For instance, a more central attacking setup with Martin Ødegaard pulling the strings could allow Arsenal to continue creating chances while balancing the load on the other wingers.
Furthermore, the fullbacks, so integral to Arsenal's attacking play this season, could be asked to provide more width to allow players like Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko to take on more attacking responsibility. This tactical shift could help Arsenal maintain their attacking threat without being overly reliant on one player.
Conclusion
While losing Bukayo Saka for any amount of time would be a blow to Arsenal, it is not as if they do not have options. Mikel Arteta has the flexibility in his squad to make changes, whether through switching wingers, relying on forgotten men like Emile Smith Rowe, or even dipping into the transfer market for reinforcements. Whatever happens, Arsenal will need to adapt quickly to ensure they can continue their push for silverware this season.