Mikel Arteta Admits Arsenal Have To Be Different During Saka’s Absence

By The Editor
on 26th December 2024

Arteta analysing ways to cope without Saka…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that his team will look different during Bukayo Saka’s absence after it was confirmed that the forward picked up a serious hamstring injury.

Arteta revealed that Saka will be out for “many weeks” with a tear in his hamstring which was suffered during our 5-1 win against Crystal Palace.

Reports claim that the likely timeline is a minimum of two months on the sidelines, and any return after that date will be determined by how quickly Saka can resume training.

Arteta can often overthink an important player’s absence, which was illustrated during Odegaard’s period on the treatment table earlier this season due to an ankle injury.

The Spaniard changed the formation to a 4-4-2 – in and out of possession – to circumvent the skipper’s absence with Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz paired up front.

It didn’t work well as the team struggled to create clear chances and went on a run of three league games without a win while Odegaard was on the treatment table.

Arteta has warned fans that he must change the make-up of the team again while Saka recovers.

“We have to look internally at what we have and be creative, do a very good exercise again,” Arteta told the press when asked how the team will cope without the No.7.

“How can we mould the squad? How can we adapt to the circumstances and be different? We cannot pretend to be the same.

“We’re going to have to be different and try to find the best way to do it and be very competitive and win a lot of games.”

One hopes that the tweaks Arteta chooses to make is linked to our positional play as opposed to changing the entire system because one key player is missing.

Gabriel Martinelli deputised admirably in the game at Selhurst Park after Saka was replaced and one imagines that he will be given a chance to carry the mantle.